File photo of South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo, Jr.
GENERAL SANTOS CITY – The provincial government of South Cotabato has placed the entire province under a state of calamity due to the rising cases of the deadly mosquito bites.
South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. said he signed an executive order after three municipalities declared a state of calamity last week. The municipalities are Surallah, Tantangan, and Norala.
Tamayo said the entire province, which covers 10 municipalities and one component city, is "automatically" under the state of calamity if at least three municipalities make a similar declaration.
A report released by the South Cotabato Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) showed that dengue cases have already reached the epidemic threshold, registering a total of 3,347 cases from January 1 to July 13.
The figure is 149 percent higher compared to the 1,344 cases recorded in the same period last year.
IPHO said at least 17 deaths due to dengue complications were reported as of July 13, and two more cases were added this week.
Koronadal City posted the most number of cases with 596, followed by Surallah with 456, Tantangan with 447, Banga with 358, Tupi with 303, Norala with 293, Polomolok with 262, Tampakan with 192, Tboli with 182, Sto. Niño with 158, and Lake Sebu with 100.
Tamayo said they are only waiting for the Provincial Board to approve the release of funds to help local government units to stem the rising number of dengue cases.
In the meantime, the governor called on the residents to conduct massive cleanup and "Operation Kulob" or destruction of breeding sites of dengue-carrying mosquitoes. (PNA)
