Fighting H1N1

MANILA, Philippines – The Parañaque City Council has enacted a resolution authorizing the city government under Mayor Florencio Bernabe Jr. to use a portion of the city’s calamity fund to strengthen the prevention and mitigation program against the Influenza A (H1N1) threat.

City Resolution 09-045, series of 2009, authored by Councilor Jose Enrico Golez, was passed by the city council and approved by the local chief executive in recognition of the urgency of adopting emergency measures which will alleviate, prevent, and contain the threat of infection which has reached pandemic levels.

With the added funds, the mayor can boost the city’s prevention and mitigation program by purchasing medicines, vaccines, and supplies as well as acquire equipment and materials which will be used in their information drive on this special concern.

Early on, the City Health Office headed by Dr. Olga Virtusio has intensified its awareness campaign vs. A (H1N1) by conducting orientations and regularly providing information materials, advisories, and situation updates to public and private schools, communities, and business establishments.

It has also adopted additional precautionary measures at the City Hall like designating only one entry point for employees and taxpayers alike to undergo a mandatory thermal scan; providing hand sanitizers; adopting appropriate hygienic practices; and using personal protective masks for those who have colds and cough; and requesting schools and business establishments to do the same.

As the first news on swine flu infection broke, Mayor Bernabe immediately issued Executive Order 011-09, series of 2009 creating the A (H1N1) Pandemic Planning Committee. “The safety and welfare of our constituents is our utmost concern and we will channel our efforts and resources to ensure that they are protected from this dreaded virus,” Mayor Bernabe said.