The entire province of Iloilo has been placed under a state of calamity due to the rising number of dengue cases.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) approved on July 23 a resolution declaring a province-wide state of calamity.

The declaration was endorsed by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC).

From January 1 to July 13, 2019, the Provincial Health Office (PHO) recorded 6,806 dengue cases, including 23 deaths.

Pototan posted the most number of cases with 716, including 3 deaths, followed by Passi City with 459 (1 death); Sara, 379 (1 death); Concepcion, 337 (4 deaths); and Lambunao, 294 (1 death).

Early this month, Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. declared a dengue outbreak throughout the province.

Board Member Roly Distura said the declaration would allow the use of P26.5 million in calamity fund.IMT