DILG to help control cholera; Hagedorn says Puerto Princesa safePUB

MANILA, Philippines -- Alarmed by the 30 individuals, mostly children, who died in the municipality of Bataraza in Palawan due to cholera, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has ordered regional officials to help control the cholera outbreak in 17 barangays of the town.

Puerto Princesa City Mayor Edward S. Hagedorn likewise allayed fears raised by concerned citizens and local health agencies that the cholera outbreak may affect the city.

Hagedorn said that aside from the distance – Bataraza is about 230 kilometers away from the environment-friendly city – the good hygiene practices of his constituents and clean environment surrounding makes the city safe from the cholera outbreak.

“There’s nothing to fear that the cholera outbreak would come and pay us a visit. It is not welcome here. Cholera thrives only in areas with very poor sanitation. We are surrounded by a clean environment and good hygiene practices of our residents.” Hagedorn said.

DILG Secretary Jesse M. Robredo directed DILG Regional Director Rolando Calabazaron of the Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan) Region to assist the local government of Bataraza by ensuring adequate supply of potable water to affected communities.

Robredo said having access to clean drinking water is important, since the Department of Health (DoH) pinpointed that the main causes of the outbreak are drinking “contaminated or unclean” water as well as the “poor sanitation practices” of residents in the area.

He also ordered the regional office of DILG in Region IV-B (Mimaropa) to implement the “Enhancing the Access to and Provision of Water Services to the Poor Program” of the DILG, which he believes would address the water sanitation problem in Bataraza town