DepEd worries about flooded grade schools

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Education in Mandaue City is worried about elementary schools that were inundated after a heavy downpour recently becoming breeding grounds of dengue mosquitoes.

Assistant City School Division Superintendent Nimfa Bongo said that at least four elementary schools such as those in barangays Basak, Paknaan, Looc, and Opao are closely being monitored.

According to Bongo, school heads have been advised to introduce measures that would deal with stagnant water.

"Nasayod man gud ta nga kon adunay magpundo nga tubig, mao na'y purohan nga pundohanan sa lamok nga maka mugna ug dengue maong ato kanang gibantayan pag-ayo," said Bongo.

Although no reports of dengue cases in these schools, cleanliness in these schools is being observed.

The City Health Office reported that Mandaue City has registered a decrease in the number of dengue cases this year as compared with last year's.

The report was made by Dr. Debbie Catulong, officer in charge of the Dengue Control Program of the Mandaue City Health Department.

Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes attributes the declining number to efficient garbage collection.

Catulong said last year, the city of Mandaue was number five among cities in Region 7 with high cases of dengue from January to August 2007.

But in the same period last year, Catulong said the city of Mandaue placed number nine.

Catulong said barangays with dengue cases include barangay Casuntingan with 9 cases, Maguikay and Pagsabungan 6, Guizo 5, Banilad and Cabancalan have four cases each, Basak, Paknaan, and Tipolo 3 each, Alang-Alang, Bakilid, Cambaro and Canduman 2 each, Cubacub, Jagobiao, Ibabao-Estancia, Looc, and Subangdaku 1 each. (THE FREEMAN)