Saturday, July 12, 2008

Physicians brace for more health problems

KALIBO, Aklan – Both government and private medical practitioners here are preparing for a worst-case health scenario as thousands of children go back to school tomorrow.

There could be an outbreak of diseases, said Provincial Health Office (PHO) chief Dr. Myrtle Pelayo.

PHO has recommended to the Department of Education (DepEd) to require children to wear protective gears such as boots to shield them from mud.

Pelayo also said they recommend that the kids wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
Elementary classes here were suspended for two weeks. Schools, just like the rest of the town, were under several inches of thick mud from the floodwaters brought by Typhoon “Frank.”

"The Provincial Alliance of Health Workers and the Aklan Medical Society (AMS) are prepared to protect our children when they return to school," Pelayo said.

Medical workers warned against the possible surge of leptospirosis, tetanus infection, asthma and even dengue.

Dr. Emett Custodio, protocol officer of the AMS and former district governor of the Philippine Medical Society in Western Visayas, are also on stand.

"We call on the municipality of Kalibo to hasten the collection of garbage in major streets. Health concerns will never be ignored until the collection of garbage in the municipality has been normalized,” Custodio said.

The AMS is currently negotiating with the Kalibo local government and DepEd to allow medical personnel to visit elementary schools to inspect school children.

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Foundation of Aklan Bridge still strong, says DPWH


By JUN ARIOLO N. AGUIRRE

KALIBO, Aklan – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has debunked reports that the century-old Aklan Bridge would collapse.

DPWH Acting District Engineer Roberto Cabigas said their inspection found the foundation of the Aklan Bridge still strong despite its age.

The bridge has seen several rehabilitations through the years.

For the first time in the history of Aklan, floodwaters brought by Typhoon “Frank” submerged the Aklan Bridge, making it the worst inundation so far to hit the province.

Floodwaters left mud on the bridge, making it also dangerous to travelers especially during night time.

Traffic at the bridge is currently moderate to heavy because most of the streets in Kalibo are yet to be cleared of mud.

The bridge connects the eastern town of Kalibo to the portion of the province in the west, especially the town of Numancia.

It serves as a major gateway to Boracay Island from the Kalibo Airport and from Iloilo.

The DPWH reported P65-million worth of damage to infrastructures in the province due to “Frank.”

Foundation of Aklan Bridge still strong, says DPWH


By JUN ARIOLO N. AGUIRRE

KALIBO, Aklan – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has debunked reports that the century-old Aklan Bridge would collapse.

DPWH Acting District Engineer Roberto Cabigas said their inspection found the foundation of the Aklan Bridge still strong despite its age.

The bridge has seen several rehabilitations through the years.

For the first time in the history of Aklan, floodwaters brought by Typhoon “Frank” submerged the Aklan Bridge, making it the worst inundation so far to hit the province.

Floodwaters left mud on the bridge, making it also dangerous to travelers especially during night time.

Traffic at the bridge is currently moderate to heavy because most of the streets in Kalibo are yet to be cleared of mud.

The bridge connects the eastern town of Kalibo to the portion of the province in the west, especially the town of Numancia.

It serves as a major gateway to Boracay Island from the Kalibo Airport and from Iloilo.

The DPWH reported P65-million worth of damage to infrastructures in the province due to “Frank.”

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Aklan still on the brink of disaster, says DENR

KALIBO, Aklan -– The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) expressed concern over a possible disaster coming if the weather will not favor the province in its clearing and rehabilitation operation after the devastation of typhoon Frank.
During the Provincial Disaster and Coordinating Council (PDCC) meeting here, Provincial Environment Officer Raoul Lorilla said the amount of mud and water could still be possibly trapped in the hinterlands which could be dangerous to the province if it releases its force.
"Based on our assessment, the mud now covering Kalibo and nearby Numancia because of typhoon Frank was caused by another natural dam that nature created. The Aklan River is still brownish indicating a possibility that there is still a natural dam in the hinterlands that needs to be released," Lorilla said.
The DENR and the Aklan provincial government have recently requested the Philippine Air Force (PAF) to possibly monitor the situation in the hinterlands of Libacao and Madalag but this did not produce positive result because of poor visibility.
"We have again requested the PAF to do another round of monitoring in the hinterlands of Libacao and Madalag within this week," Lorilla said.
Meanwhile, aside from environmental concerns, the Department of Health also expressed alarm on the number of suspected leptospirosis and tetanus cases in the province.
"Based on our report, at least three persons died of suspected leptospirosis while 45 more victims suspected of the disease were reported. We ask the public to be health conscious and to protect themselves from possible injuries," said Provincial Health Officer Dr. Myrtle Pelayo.
Pelayo said that health concerns and fear of possible disease outbreak would remain in Aklan unless proper disposal of wastes and potability of water especially in Kalibo are normalized.