ILOILO – The Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) yesterday said two persons died in two separate drowning incidents in the province during the Holy Week break.
Both incidents were recorded on Good Friday, April 18, according to Dr. Rodney Labis, head of the IPHO’s Health Service Delivery Division.
“Kaangut sang obserbasyon sang Semana Santa diri sa probinsya sang Iloilo, ang IPHO naka-monitor sang duha ka pagkapatay tungod sang drowning incidents,” Labis confirmed.
The first fatality was identified as alias “Boyet”, 13, a resident of Barangay Libot, Calinog town.
According to the Calinog Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), the boy together with his family members went swimming to Malagumpit Falls in the town’s Barangay Cahigon.
The victim went missing while swimming and his body was later recovered near the falls. He was rushed to Dr. Ricardo S. Provido Memorial District Hospital but was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.
In Barangay San Salvador, Banate town, the 59-year-old Rene Petate from Barangay Cau-ayan, Pototan, died when he drowned in a beach resort.
Investigation of the Banate Municipal Police Station revealed that the victim, allegedly drunk, drowned while swimming alone.
His body was found floating around 50 meters away from the shores. He was also declared dead on arrival at Barotac Viejo District Hospital.
Moreover, IPHO also recorded a vehicular accident in Barangay Maninila, Miag-ao town on Saturday, April 19. Fifty-eight out of 70 passengers of a jeepney were injured.
Despite the incident, Labis thanked the Miag-ao MDRRMO and neighboring MDRRMOs of Guimbal, Tigbauan and Iloilo City for swift response and transport of the victims to Rep. Pedro Trono Memorial District Hospital in Guimbal and Western Visayas Medical Center in Iloilo City.
“Aton ginapasalamatan ang epektibo kag timely nga pag-responder sang aton health facilities and MDRRMOs sa malapit nga mga banwa,” he said.
Meanwhile, the IPHO received no reports from Municipal Health Offices (MHOs) regarding heat-related illnesses, particularly during religious processions and ‘Ang Pagtaltal’ on Good Friday.
Labis expressed gratitude to everyone, including local government units (LGUs), organizations, and media partners, who supported the campaign to ensure a safe and healthy observance of this year’s Holy Week./PN