Mayor Sara Z. Duterte on Monday extended aid to the diarrhea-stricken village of Pasian in Monkayo, Davao de Oro.
In a Facebook post on Monday night, the Monkayo municipal government said Duterte sent food packs, bottled cultured milk, grocery packs, and bottled water which were distributed to the affected residents.
Mayor Ramil Gentugaya and Vice Mayor Joanna Gentugaya led the relief activities in the barangay.
“We thanked Mayor Inday Sara for these goods which shall serve as intervention undertaking to assist the affected families of the diarrhea outbreak,” the mayor said.
On June 17, the village was declared under a state of calamity after nine puroks [sub-villages] were affected by a diarrhea outbreak.
In an interview Tuesday, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Antonio Ybiernas told Philippine News Agency that a total of 235 households or 301 individuals were affected by the outbreak.
Five persons died while four others are currently admitted to various hospitals.
He said the water sample submitted to the Water Laboratory in Tagum City, Davao del Norte was found to contain bacteria that caused the diarrhea outbreak in the village.
“The sample is negative for chemical but the growth of the bacteria was present and it is not yet identified,” Ybiernas added.
He added that they recommended stopping the operation of the water source and proposed to install a solar-powered hypochlorite water source.
‘We are planning to put it as soon as possible. Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy vowed to help us install this facility,” Ybiernas added.
The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Davao de Oro Chapter, on the other hand, has continued its emergency operations in the area.
They also promoted the practice of proper hygiene and assisted 68 households as of June 20. First aid operations and a psychological support program were also conducted on the affected individuals.
Currently, the water tankering operation continues as well as the water set-up production and filtration in Barangay Poblacion of Monkayo.
Authorities already gave instructions to residents on how to maintain the cleanliness of the reservoir to avoid the recurrence of the outbreak. (PNA)
