ILOILO CITY — The Iloilo Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) has recommended the declaration of a state of calamity in the province due to an alarming rise in dengue cases.

This recommendation was made through a resolution passed during a special emergency meeting convened by Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. on Thursday, PDRRMC head Cornelio Salinas said Iloilo has met the criteria set by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council for declaring a state of calamity.

He said that three towns — Passi City, Miagao and Tigbauan — have already declared a state of calamity due to the outbreak of the mosquito-borne disease.

Salinas said 41 of the 43 local government units in the province have breached the epidemic threshold, which requires an urgent and heightened response.

Salinas also pointed out that 36 towns have reported clustering of dengue cases at the barangay level.

As of August 10, the Iloilo Provincial Health Office reported a total of 4,595 dengue cases, including 10 deaths. This is a 320 percent increase from last year's 1,095 cases.

The PDRRMC resolution will be submitted to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (provincial board) for approval, which would make the declaration of a state of calamity in the province official.

The declaration will enable the province to access emergency funds, accelerate the procurement of essential supplies, and implement swift measures to control the dengue outbreak.

Defensor said that the health office is intensifying the implementation of the 5S strategy.

"We continue our surveillance and vigilance, and we are executing fogging in areas that are hotspots," Defensor said.

"We want to intensify fogging as both a response and a preventive measure. We are currently gathering funds for financial assistance to be given to the LGUs so we can enhance their capacity," he added.

Defensor also said that the province is in a "state of war" as he called on the public to have an intensive clean-up drive in their community.