Will a declaration of a state of calamity in Negros Occidental be needed amid the rising dengue cases?
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, who has called the rise in dengue cases alarming, said he will consult with Dr. Ernell Tumimbang, provincial health officer, to determine if a state of calamity is necessary.
“Usually you declare a state of calamity when your regular budget is not enough” to address the problem, he said on Sunday, July 17.
Lacson said he will know if the dengue situation is still manageable after his meeting with Tumimbang.
Negros Occidental has the highest number of dengue cases in Western Visayas this year at 1,869 or an increase by 777 percent compared to 2021, the DOH reported.
The province also has the highest number of dengue deaths in WV at ten this year.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Antique on Thursday placed the province under a state of calamity because of dengue cases reported in all of its 18 municipalities.*