LOCAL government units (LGUs) should be proactive and take steps to prevent the spread of influenza-like illnesses in their communities, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) has said.
“We already have protocols in place regarding infectious diseases because of the recent pandemic, so I hope that our LGUs will be prudent and take proactive steps to prevent the spread of disease in their communities,” PCSO chairman Junie E. Cua said.
The Department of Health (DOH) Epidemiology Bureau has recently said that it has monitored 114,127 cases of flu-like illness from January 1 to August 12 this year, which is 52 percent higher than cases from the same period in 2022.
Davao has the highest number of cases, with 18,656; followed by Northern Mindanao with 15,585, and Central Visayas with 13,280.
The DOH report said that the Zamboanga peninsula recorded the highest increase in cases at 268 percent or from 1,407 to 5,178; while Metro Manila had a 142-percent increase or 2,636 to 6,372, and Ilocos, 138 percent or from 2,955 to 7,026.
Cua reminded local executives that their shares from the PCSO can be used for procuring medicines and disease prevention kits for distribution to the public.
“LGUs have a wide latitude in using their PCSO shares for the health and medical needs of their constituents. Maaaring gamitin ito para sa pagbigay ng gamot sa mga komunidad (They can use their funds to procure medicines for their constituents),” he said.
Under its charter, the PCSO is mandated to give a portion of its lotto and STL proceeds to LGUs, with cities and municipalities receiving five percent, and provinces receiving 2 percent of the proceeds.
Cua also urged the public to take precautions against flu-like illness, which health experts say is common during the rainy season.
“Huwag po tayo mag-atubili na magpakonsulta sa doktor o sa ating mga health center kapag nakaramdam na tayo ng mga symptoms (Let us not hesitate in consulting doctors or going to health centers when we feel flu symptoms). Let’s also be considerate of others and use masks if we exhibit symptoms of flu-like illness,” he said.
Cua also reminded local governments in Metro Manila that the PCSO offers free consultations in their Multi-Specialty Clinic in the PCSO main office in Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City.
The clinic has specialists in cardiology, neurology and psychiatry, pulmonology, gastroenterology, endocrinology, orthopedic surgery, ophthalmology and ear, nose, and throat (ENT).
