Photo courtesy of Albay PIO
The Albay provincial government has placed the province under a state of calamity as dengue cases continued to rise, with 1,785 infections and 14 deaths recorded from Jan. 1 to Sept. 8.
The Provincial Board approved the declaration during a special session Thursday through a resolution authored by Board Member Milagros Bal, chairperson of the Committee on Crisis and Emergency Management.
The move allows the provincial government to tap its Quick Response Fund for dengue response measures, including the purchase of testing kits, vector-control chemicals, medical supplies and equipment.
Provincial health data showed Legazpi City with the highest number of cases at 378, followed by Bacacay with 254 and Daraga with 188.
Other areas with notable case counts included Tabaco City with 158, Malilipot with 130, Ligao City with 102, Manito with 86, Camalig with 80 and Libon with 78.
The 14 reported deaths included five in Legazpi City, two each in Daraga, Manito and Sto. Domingo, and one each in Malilipot, Camalig and Tiwi.
All 18 local government units in Albay have recorded dengue cases during the period covered by the provincial surveillance report.
The provincial government urged residents to eliminate stagnant water, clean possible mosquito breeding sites and support barangay-level dengue prevention efforts as authorities intensify response measures.
