The Department of Health (DOH) must strengthen its response to diseases that generally emerge during the hot season, Albay Rep. Joey Salceda said on Monday.
Tropical diseases including cholera, chikungunya, and Zika virus might be an issue, citing global studies that suggest a 2.5% to 28% increase in cases during El Niño activities.
"El Nino is a hotbed for epidemics – the climate is warmer than usual, and people have less water available. El Niño and La Niña can make extreme weather events more likely in certain areas of the country. It could intensify droughts, floods, and storms. So, apart from usual damage due to natural disasters, let us also expect diseases related to these hazards," the lawmaker said.
Salceda suggested the government mandate local government units to implement clean-ups and the DOH to provide public guidance.
He also pushes to Senate the proposed House Bill No. 6096 which establishes the Center for Disease Control and Prevention as a separate group under DOH that will create and implement comprehensive health emergency policy to prepare the country in the face of global health threats.
"The CDC would definitely add institutional muscle to our preparations, especially since El Niño could persist until 2024," Salceda added.
With the Senate version designated as urgent, the lawmaker anticipates that the measure would be available for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to sign before delivering his second State of the Nation Address.
