BONTOC, Mountain Province – The Municipal Health Office (MHO) headed by Municipal Health Officer Dr. Diga Kay Gomez reminded the public on prevention of dengue and Hand, Foot & Mouth Diseases (HFMD) during the 1st Quarter Municipal Peace and Order Council (MPOC) meeting on February 19, 2025, at the Bontoc Municipal Capitol Auditorium.
Dixi Jane Lingbanan-Kiniway disclosed that the municipality has recorded a total of three dengue cases, with one each from Barangays Balili, Caluttit, and Guina-ang.
With this, Kiniway emphasized the importance of preventive measures to curb the further spread of these infections. She highlighted the distribution of Olyset nets to Barangay Health Stations, the regular implementation of “Oplan Taob” and the 5S Strategies Against Dengue: Search and destroy mosquito breeding sites; Secure self-protection measures like wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts, and daily use of mosquito repellant; Seek early consultation; Support fogging/spraying; and Sustain Hydration.
Additionally, Kiniway reported an increase in Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) cases as Bontoc has recorded only two from year 2024, compared to the six total cases as of February 2025. Barangay Caluttit has three HFMD cases; Barangay Poblacion recorded two; and one from Barangay Bontoc Ili. She advised the public not to be complacent and emphasized the need for continued vigilance and adherence to preventive measures.
She also announced the scheduled blood-letting activities in every barangay as part of compliance with the Dugong Bayani Program and Ordinance No. 302, s. 2018, “An Ordinance Establishing a Blood Donor’s Program in Every Barangay in the Municipality of Bontoc”. This is to address the blood shortage in the blood bank, especially with the increasing number of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients and other emergency cases, such as dengue, surgeries, accidents, and maternal deliveries.
Likewise, Kiniway introduced the “Domag-os” for Health, an advocacy program by Dr. Steven Pasayan that provides short health consultations to the patients chosen as part of the activity. It is a way to assess the health and wellness routines of the patients. “Domag-os” is a local term in the Cordillera meaning “to layover in a place while on a longer trip going somewhere that explains the brief yet meaningful stop for health check-ups in the community.
The MHO continues to work with the barangay health units and shares the current assignments of health personnel under the varuous programs of the Department of Health. They are Doctor to the Barrios (DTTB) Dr. Maribeth Binwag , Nurse Deployment Program (NDP) Maryknoll Winni, Shandee Cadiogan, Dolores Ramirez, Ceasan Agcapen, Grace Langpawen, Lenny Lacaben, and Brilyant Caligtan, Pharmacist – Nadene Cariño, Rural Health Midwife Placement Program (RHMPP) – Sheena Fomocao.
Meanwhile, personnel from the MHO provided Blood Pressure taking to the members of the council during the event. By Zenith Vale Changat
