Agusan del Norte, Butuan LGUs ink support to 'Biyaheng Kulambo'

By Robert E. Roperos

Monday 2nd of July 2012

BUTUAN CITY, July 2 (PIA) -- Local government units of the province of Agusan del Norte and this city has signed a manifesto of support to strengthen the “Biyaheng Kulambo (mosquito net)” project of the national government in support to the nationwide campaign for malaria elimination by 2020.

Jimmy Egay, provincial malaria coordinator of the province of Agusan del Norte, said today’s Biyaheng Kulambo is the third leg in Mindanao, next to Bukidnon and in Cagayan de Oro City. He added same activity will be conducted in some key points in the island soon.

Among the objectives of the program are to establish local government support through renewed and sustained investments, increase community awareness for the accelerated elimination strategies, and develop stakeholder collaborations and mechanisms for linkages.

During today’s ceremonial transfer of the Long Lasting Insecticide Net held at the provincial training center in Agusan del Norte, key officials of the provincial and city governments showed their support by giving their commitment to intensify the anti-nationwide malaria campaign.

Provincial health officer Elizabeth Campado said that with the high incidence of malaria cases recorded in some regions in the country, the national government, through the cooperation of Pilipinas Shell Foundation, has come up with a project aimed at generating an environment of awareness and antecedent support to the elimination strategies of the malaria program hinged on firm political will and leadership, community empowerment, and organized participation and structured stakeholder roles.

Campado also emphasized that in 2011, the province of Agusan del Norte was noted to have achieved zero casualty rate in malaria.

This was also supported by Egay, saying that although there were 13 cases recorded, the province was noted to have achieved zero casualty last year. He said the last casualty was recorded in 2006.

He added that from 2010 to 2011, an 80 percent reduction of malaria cases was noted in the province due to the massive campaign of the provincial government to fight malaria. Egay said the province is close to its target of achieving a malaria-free area. (RER-PIA 13 Caraga)