By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

According to the Bacolod City Health Office (CHO), there were a total of 427 dengue cases recorded in the city between January and May 18.
CHO Environment and Sanitation Division head, Dr. Grace Tan, said the number of cases this year has increased by 78 percent as compared to the 240 recorded during the same period in 2018.
Records show Barangay Estefania topped the number of dengue cases followed by Taculing, Pahanocoy, Tangub, Handumanan, Mansilingan, Granada, Mandalagan, Alijis, and Singcang-Airport.
However, the number of fatalities is down with one fatality recorded this year as compared to three in 2018.
With the rainy season about to be declared, Tan advised the public to be more vigilant against dengue.
The CHO official said local residents should immediately eliminate possible nesting sites for mosquitoes and always maintain cleanliness.
Last month, the Department of Health-Region VI reported 14 dengue-related fatalities in Negros Occidental, a 98 percent increase compared to the same period in 2018./DGB, WDJ