ILOILO City – The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) passed a resolution requesting the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Department of Education (DepEd) to suspend the wearing of school uniforms in public and private schools so as not to expose children to mosquitoes carrying the dengue virus.
The SP recommended that students wear jogging pants or trousers until the spread of dengue is controlled.
As of July 30, a total of 1,150 dengue cases (with nine deaths) have been recorded here.
“Subong, may order ang DepEd nga optional. I talked to some school principals, optional gid man ang uniform subong. Pero para ma-avoid na gid ang confusion, mas maayo i-declare nga amo na (suspended) para once and for all maproteksyunan ang mga kabataan against sa mga lamok, especially nakita naton ang target gid pirmi ang ila tiil,” said Councilor Lyndon Acap, author of the resolution.
Earlier, the SP approved the recommendation of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) to place the city under a state of calamity due to a dengue outbreak.
With this, the city government will be hiring more doctors, nurses and medical technologists.
Mayor Jerry Treñas said these medical personnel would be deployed in barangay health centers and screen patients for dengue.
Treñas said the initial plan is to get 10 doctors, 78 nurses and 12 medical technologists.
With the declaration of a state of calamity, the city government may now utilize its P34-million Quick Respond Fund and P5-million maintenance and other operating expense trust fund.
According to Treñas, the city government will purchase knapsack sprayers for misting, fogging machines, and chemicals for distribution to 68 public schools and 180 barangays.
Misting or fogging in schools may be done on a Friday and Saturday to minimize if not avoid class disruptions./PN
