TF Kontra Dengue starts misting operations to three towns in SouthCot

The Task Force Kontra Dengue has started its misting operations to priority areas to combat the increasing dengue cases in the province.
Provincial Mosquito-Borne Disease Coordinator Jose Barroquillo said, at least three municipalities under the State of calamity were visited. These are the municipalities of Tantangan, Banga and Surallah.
Following the approval of the Quick Response Fund (QRF) worth Php15.5 million, the provincial government of South Cotabato through the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council is set to purchase seven misting machines to augment the facilities of the municipalities.
Said machines worth Php40k each or a total of Php280k will be used to the epidemic threshold affected municipalities in the province. T date, dengue virus has claimed at least 22 lives.
Aside from this equipment, the Task Force is set to allot the QRF funds to the following items: Php350k for the conduct of the province-wide massive Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Campaign on “OPlan Kontra Dengue”; Php1 million for Medical/ Burial and hospitalization assistance to the affected victims of dengue; Php300k for the conduct of province-wide registration of Voluntary Blood Profiling program; Php500k for the purchase of fuel and Php805k for the functionality and equipage for the activation of the Incident Command System (ICS) and Emergency Operation Center due to dengue outbreak.
Based on the QRF, bigger funding was allotted to the provision of chemicals for the misting and fogging operation worth Php7.2 million. These operations are to be conducted to the estimated 70,000 affected households identified under the epidemic threshold.
A total of Php3.5 million was also allocated under the Laboratory and Diagnosis, and Case management Program wherein set to be purchased are least 1,000 triple bag/packs, 50 pcs. folding beds and 3,000 pcs. of dengue NS1 and reagents.
Meanwhile, the Php1.5 million was also allocated for the Cash For Work Program which calls for the mobilization of beneficiaries for the “oplan kulob” and other response operations.
Health officials admit they could not determine when the dengue virus will subside but called on everyone to cooperate.
“As long as there are mosquitoes, there will still be dengue.” Baroquillo said,
It is important that while the provincial government is making its moves against this outbreak, each household should also do their part in eradicating this deadly dengue virus.” he said.