QUEZON City First District Representative Arjo Atayde raised alarm after the local government declared a dengue outbreak in the area, emphasizing the need to protect children from the disease.
Atayde made the statement after the Quezon City local government announced that 10 individuals died due to dengue, including eight minors.
“Nakakabahala itong pagtaas ng kaso ng bilang ng dengue. Nararapat na tiyakin na ang mga eskwelahan ay nagkakaroon ng mosquito fogging para maiwasan ang mga lamok,” the lawmaker pointed out.
“We must take care of the youth and ensure that they are protected from any harm and diseases,” Atayde added.
Atayde also reminded the public to eliminate stagnant water, especially in and around their homes, as it serves as a breeding ground for mosquitoes that transmit dengue.
Furthermore, Atayde encouraged community-wide efforts to combat dengue, highlighting the role of local governments and health agencies to establish measures that will help fight dengue.
From January 1 to February 13, this year, the number of dengue cases in the city increased to 1,708.
The most recorded is from District 2 reaching 403 and three deaths; followed by District 4 with 325 cases and three deaths and District 5 with 267 cases and three deaths as well and one from District 1.
By Junex Doronio
ANTICIPATING THE LEVELLING UP of vote buying in the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE), the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has alerted electronic wallet operators to monitor ‘suspicious” high-volume transactions, especially in the days prior to election day.
At the same time, Comelec Chairman George Garcia sternly warned GCash, Maya and other companies involved in mobile payment services that they may face charges for conspiracy to commit vote buying.
“Doon sa mga panibagong pamamaraan ng vote buying, tulad ng by way of GCash or online banking, kasama po namin sa Committee on Kontra Bigay ay Anti-Money Laundering Council at Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas,” Comelec Commissioner Ernesto Maceda Jr. earlier said in a press briefing.
He also disclosed that the Comelec is already finalizing its rules and regulations on the penalties for vote buying for the BSKE in October, which will now cover online money transfers.
The Omnibus Election Code penalizes vote buying or selling with up to six years of imprisonment, disqualification from public office, and prohibition from exercising the right to vote.
Any political party found guilty of engaging in such acts shall pay a fine of not less than ₱10,000.
Considering that Omnibus Election Code was approved in 1985 and does not cover modern schemes of bribing during elections, the Comelec sees the need to also level up the law. (ai/mnm)