Metro Manila, Philippines — The plan of the Department of Health to stop children from wading in floodwaters should be carried out at the barangay level, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said.
Health Secretary Ted Herbosa sought the prohibition in light of rising leptospirosis cases after floods from heavy rain caused by Typhoon Carina and the southwest monsoon.
Herbosa said they will talk with the Department of Education about teaching children against swimming in the flood. He said discussions will also tackle ways to improve solid waste management.
“The surge in leptospirosis cases is not a communication problem, it’s a behavior problem. We need a change in behavior,” Herbosa said in a statement.
In a briefing on Tuesday, Aug. 13, MMDA acting Chairman Romando Artes said details on the enforcement of the ban should be laid out.
“We can only advise kasi paanong gawin natin? Hulihin ba natin ‘pag naliligo ‘yung mga bata sa baha? Paano kung papasok sila sa eskwela? Hindi pwedeng hindi sila lulusong,” Artes said.
[Translation: We can only advise because what should we do? Should we catch the children in floodwaters? What if they are going to school? They cannot avoid wading in the flood.]
He said the barangay is in a better position to enforce the ban.
“‘Pag baha na po, ‘yung mga nasa city hall hindi naman makakapunta sa lugar dahil nga po baha na. In the same manner, kami MMDA or ang kapulisan,” said Artes.
[Translation: When it’s already flooded, those in city hall cannot go to the affected areas. In the same manner, the MMDA and the police as well.]
Artes said the agency might invite health officials to a meeting of the Metro Manila Council next week to discuss the proposal’s details.
Based on DOH data, there were 2,115 leptospirosis cases nationwide from Jan. 1 to Aug. 3.
While this is lower than the 2,757 logged in the same period last year, DOH epidemiologists are cautious as there may be late reports.
The DOH has been assisting leptospirosis patients in Metro Manila through the referral lines (02) 8531-0037 and (0920) 283-2758.
