Bacolod allocates P1M for anti-A(H1N1) drive
BACOLOD CITY – The Sangguniang Panglungsod approved on Wednesday the request of Bacolod City A(H1N1) Task Force through City Mayor Evelio Leonardia the allocation of P1 million budget for the city’s campaign against Influenza A(H1N1).
Councilor Al Victor Espino, chairman of the Committee on Appropriation and Finance, said they also approved the request of the mayor declaring Bacolod City under “imminent danger” so that the city can utilize its calamity fund especially from the pre-disaster preparedness item.
It was learned that Bacolod City recorded four confirmed cases of A(H1N1) infection.
Bacolod City Health Officer Dr. Salome Biñas said the funds will be used to purchase protective gears for nurses and health workers who will be handling patients with A(H1N1) flu.
“It will also be used to buy thermal scanners for health centers and all public schools to monitor the body temperature of students,” Biñas added.
Vice-Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson, chairman of the task force, said the P1 million budget is only an initial fund. It was learned that the task force earlier asked for P2 million budget for the anti-H1N1 campaign.
“As of now, the most important thing is that our health officials has the budget for them to implement other precautionary measures against the disease,” Sayson added.
Sayson said a portion of it will be used in information campaigns against A(H1N1).
The province of Negros Occidental through Governor Isidro Zayco, already allocated P1 million for the same purpose.