By Erna S. Gorne
MAASIN CITY, December 10 (PIA) – – The local government of Maasin City now owns fogging machines after securing the much needed equipment in its fight against dengue.
Through the initiatives of Maasin City Mayor Nacional V. Mercado, the city government recently bought three fogging machines through the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO) as the procurement was categorized in response to calamities, it was learned.
Earlier this year, the province of Southern Leyte was declared under a state of calamity due to alarming increase on dengue cases.
According to City Health Officer Dr. Francilisa Tan, some 250 dengue cases were reported from January- December 2019 in Maasin City alone during the Local Health Board council meeting last Friday, December 6, 2019 at Mayor’s Boardroom, Maasin City.
Upon learning that only two fogging machines from the Provincial Health Service Office were available to respond to the fogging operations needed across the province, Mayor Mercado immediately moved for the procurement of three fogging machines. Thus the agony for the long wait just to avail the its services is over.
Mayor Mercado further instructed City Health Officer Dr. Francilisa Tan to allow only those properly oriented health personnel to operate the costly fogging machines.
“ I want that only those health workers who are trained for the proper handling of fogging machines be allowed to operate these sophisticated equipment, “ he added.
Meanwhile, Dr. Letecia Tan, a representative from the Department of Health (DOH) in the province said their office provided the Provincial Health Service Office the existing two fogging machines. However, she further disclosed that the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) also recently bought their own fogging machines. (esg/PIA8 SoLeyte)
