Bacolod City – The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod is requesting the Department of Public Services (DPS) and the Department of Education Bacolod (DepEd), thru Mayor Albee Benitez, to declog, repair, and clean canals, manholes, and other water drainage fixtures within the vicinity of schools, to prevent the spread of leptospirosis, dengue, and other water borne diseases in preparation for the opening of academic year 2023-2024.
The resolution authored by Councilor Claudio Puentevella said the Department of Education is the leading government agency responsible for ensuring access to, promoting equity in, and improving the quality of basic education. It is the main agency tasked to manage and govern the Philippine system of basic education.
Department Order 034 series of 2022 issued by the Department of Education on July 11, 2022, provides that the opening and commencement of classes for academic year 2023-2024 will be on August 28, 2023, it said.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration announced the start of the monsoon season and entry of moderate to severe rainfall that may cause flooding in certain parts of the Philippines, the resolution said.
There is a high risk of exposure from leptospirosis and other water borne diseases from contaminated flood water caused by clogged drainage, canals, and other damaged water drainage fixtures, it said.
The resolution said clogged and unrepaired drainage fixtures heighten the possibility of accumulating stagnant water, which can serve as breeding grounds of dengue carrying mosquitoes.
The cleaning, declogging and repairing of the canals, manholes, and other drainage fixtures within the vicinity of schools may prevent flooding, which is the primary cause of exposure to leptospirosis and water borne diseases that may affect the students, it said.
The Department of Public Services has the necessary manpower, tools and equipment that can repair, clean and declog this drainage fixtures, the resolution added. (Chrysee Semillano via The Visayan Daily Star, photo courtesy of Bacolod City Public Information Office)
