TACLOBAN CITY-The number of dengue cases of this city dropped by 74 percent from 319 on January 1 to October 10, compared to 2,681 with 11 deaths in the same period last year, the City Health Office (CHO) disclosed in a report released on Wednesday.
Based on the data obtained from the dengue surveillance tracker, among the five villages here which were included in the list with the highest dengue cases as of October 10, Barangay 95 Caibaan tops the number of dengue infections with 16 dengue-afflicted individuals or 5.03 percent.
This was followed by Brgy. 62-B in Sagkahan with 15 cases, Brgy. 91 Abucay, 14; Brgy. 75 Naga-naga, 13, and Brgy. 74, 10.
Likewise, it was seen that 136 males were afflicted with the illness which is equivalent to 53.96 percent of the total number of cases that were documented. The age ranged from 1 month to 67 years old with a median of 33 years old.
Of the said figures, however, CHO said that no clustering of cases was noted, and only four deaths were recorded from morbidity week 1-41.
Meantime, despite the significant drop in cases this year, the public is still reminded not to be complacent and follow the 5S strategy to continuously decline the number along with the practice for infection prevention and control measures for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
The 5S program emphasizes the search and destroy of possible breeding sites of dengue-carrier mosquitoes; self-protection measures like wearing long-sleeves and pants; and to seek early consultation if experiencing two days of fever; say yes to fogging only in hotspots where dengue cases are on the rise and sustain hydration.
Apart from the said campaign, the local health workers are encouraged to continue their efforts against dengue and other infection prevention, as well as reiterate the importance of community involvement in search and destroy operations to maintain the decrease of cases. (TACLOBAN CITY INFORMATION OFFICE)

TACLOBAN CITY – The finished infrastructure projects in Leyte town now serve and enhance or boost the economy of the municipality and nearby areas, a report from the office of Leyte provincial governor, based in this city, said.
Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla told reporters in an interview that the concreted road including the bridge and other related infrastructure projects worth P72 million leading to Kalabato Hot Spring, in La Paz town is now serving the constituents and the tourist destination of the town.
Petilla said that the road enhances the economic activity and provides opportunities for residents of the town through easier transport of commodities and products to and from the market.
He added that the infrastructure projects also boost the tourist’ destination of the municipality.
In an earlier interview, Tourism Regional Director Karina Rosa Tiopes said that the road in the newly-identified tourism spot in La Paz town will surely attract more local and foreign tourists with the infrastructure now in place.
Tiopes explained that the construction of the infrastructure was made possible through the Tourism Road Infrastructure Projects (TRIP), a project convergence between the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
The Kalabato Hot Spring is located within the Mahagnao Volcano National Park, a protected zone with an area of 635 hectares situated within the boundaries of the municipalities of La Paz, Burauen and McArthur, all in Leyte.
Other attractions of the tourist destination, aside from the hot spring, are the lush forest and the wildlife species like the various kinds of birds, tarsiers and monkeys that abound in the area.
(RESTITUTO A.CAYUBIT)

TACLOBAN CITY- Police rearrested a 43-year-old inmate who bolted from jail in Caibiran, Biliran on Wednesday (October 7).
The escapee, identified as Jaime Bacarisas, requested for a sunning for his health condition when he suddenly ran away from the custodial guard of Caibiran Municipal Police Station around 11:55 am.
Caibiran police led Lieutenant Ruel Sitoy, officer- in- charge, and Biliran Provincial Mobile Force Platoon led by Senior Master Sergeant Ronie Inocentes immediately conducted a hot pursuit operation and rearrested the escapee around 1:40 pm on that day at Sitio Banacod, Barangay Victory of the said town.
Bacarisas was accused for violation of Republic Act 9262 or Violence against Women and their Children.
(RONALD O. REYES)

TACLOBAN CITY-A police officer and two civilians were injured in an ambush incident reportedly staged by members of the New People’s Army (NPAs) that took place in Jiabong town, Samar province at around 8 am Wednesday (Oct. 7).
The injured police officer was identified as Patrolman Ace Denver Aharuddin,24, who was wounded on his buttock and right shoulder.
He is assigned at the Pinabacdao police station, also in Samar.
The police officers were on their way to Catbalogan City to serve as escort for an inmate, Dino de la Peña, for his court hearing on arson charge.
The two civilians who were sustained minor injuries during the ambush incident Elma Geli,58; and Reynaldo Calipis, 52, driver of a passenger van where they were on board.
All were residents of Villareal town, also in Samar.
The other police officers who were on board on their vehicle, Corporal Paul Hadlong,34; SSG Crisistomo Mabansag,51; and Corporal Reymart Romero,30, were unhurt, report from the PNP regional headquarters based in Palo town, Leyte said.
Based on the report, the two vehicles were traversing along Maharlika Highway at Barangay Tagbayaon, Jiabong at around 8 am en route to Catbalogan City, also in Samar, when an improvised explosive device planted by the rebels at the roadside exploded followed by several gun shots.
All the injured were immediately brought at the Samar Provincial Hospital based in Catbalogan City as members of the 2nd Samar Provincial Mobile Force Company led by Lt.Col. Joy Leanza immediately conducted a hot pursuit operations against the rebels.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)