CEBU CITY, Philippines - Quoting a report from the City Health Office, Councilor Gerardo Carillo said dengue cases from Jan. 1 to Feb. 19 reached 322 cases with 11 deaths.
He said there were only 113 cases and two deaths during the same period last year.
Vice Mayor Michael Rama said that the number may increase with the recent rains.
“At the rate that we are going, we may even reach 5,000 cases by December,” said Rama.
In 2007, 2,100 dengue cases were recorded in the city, with 50 deaths.
But despite the increase in dengue cases, Rama said that the city government should remain careful in implementing anti-dengue measures.
He said he had second thoughts about barangay Labangon’s plan to impose a P500-fine on residents found uncooperative in the barangay’s measures.
The council has yet to receive a copy of Labangon’s anti-dengue resolution. Rama said the proposed measure would have to undergo further deliberation.
The city council, as mandated by the Local Government Code, reviews barangay resolutions and ordinances before these may be implemented.
“The economic and poverty situations have to be considered in the deliberation of the measure,” Rama said.
Rama said that there is also a need to re-evaluate the effectiveness of the city’s anti-dengue drive.
“Should we be punished for not being competent in addressing the problem?” he asked.
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