Anti-dengue measures in place as schools reopen

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Health Department has put in place some measures against dengue and other diseases ahead of the opening of classes in public schools.

Most of the schools in Cebu City will have a blended learning modality which includes either limited face-to-face, modules, online, radio, and tv, although there are also some seven schools in the mountain barangays that will already be implementing full physical classes beginning today.

CHD head Dr.Jeffrey Ibones said they have placed some nets with chemicals against mosquitos to protect school children.

Aside from that, CHD has already done misting ahead of the school opening and has checked possible breeding grounds of dengue mosquitos in schools.

Water supply and faucets in schools have also been checked already, together with MCWD personnel, to ensurr that water is safe for drinking.

The CHD, together with the city’s Emergency Operations Center and the city’s dengue team, is also expected to educate the school children on how to prevent dengue and other water-borne diseases.

Parents are also advised to put mosquito repellants on their children for protection.

Latest data showed that CHD has recorded close to 2,000 dengue cases, including 19 deaths, since January.

Meanwhile, the Rotary Club of Banilad Metro has also responded to the City’s call for help by conducting misting in their adopted school, the Banilad Elementary School.

Aside from misting, the Rotary Club of Banilad Metro also helped out in the rehabilitation of Banilad Elementary School after being damaged by typhoon Odette last year.

Rotary Club of Banilad Metro’s Ricky Ballesteros said they are also hoping that other service organizations and groups to also help out in the rehabilitation of schools in their own areas.

Based on DepEd-7 data, there are still over a thousand classrooms in the regions that need rehabilitation.

In Cebu City alone, although the Local School Board is also helping the DepEd-Cebu City division in school repairs, manpower is only limited to basic repairs.

To repair multi-level school buildings and roofings, officials are calling on construction companies and developers to help them out. — Decemay P. Padilla, JMD (FREEMAN)