ZAMBOANGA CITY – In a bid to safeguard public health, Mayor John Dalipe has signed into law City Ordinance No. 693, a comprehensive policy aimed at preventing and controlling vector-borne diseases in the city. The measure establishes the City Anti-Vector Borne Diseases Task Force and allocates funds for its implementation.
The ordinance underscores the city government’s commitment to ensuring the health and safety of residents and visitors, particularly against diseases with epidemic potential. To achieve this, the local government will actively administer and sustain initiatives focused on disease prevention and control at the barangay level.
Among the key activities mandated under the ordinance are disease surveillance, case management, outbreak response, social mobilization, and communication. Additionally, the measure prioritizes capacity-building programs for barangay health workers and barangay governments to enhance their ability to combat vector-borne diseases effectively.
Barangay officials are also tasked with maintaining cleanliness and sanitation in their respective areas to eliminate potential breeding grounds for disease-carrying vectors. This proactive approach aims to significantly reduce the incidence of infections and protect the overall well-being of the city’s population.
A crucial component of the ordinance is the creation of the City Vector-Borne Diseases Task Force, which will oversee the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of local disease prevention programs. The task force is also responsible for developing strategies to enhance existing control measures and ensure their sustainability.
The local chief executive will serve as the task force chairperson, with the chairpersons of the Sangguniang Panlungsod’s committees on health and education acting as vice-chairpersons. This leadership structure is designed to facilitate coordinated efforts in combating vector-borne diseases and promoting a healthier Zamboanga City.
The enactment of City Ordinance No. 693 reflects the city government’s proactive stance in addressing public health challenges and highlights the importance of community involvement in disease prevention efforts.
