Albay: Classes in elementary and secondary public schools in Albay are suspended Monday through Friday as part of the wellness break and to enable a province-wide cleanup as a precaution against dengue. Classes in public elementary and secondary schools will be suspended from Sept. 14 to 16 in line with the Department of Education's wellness break, while Sept. 17 to 18 will be suspended for the province's dengue response. Classes in private elementary and secondary schools will also be suspended on Sept. 17 and 18.
According to Philippines News Agency, in an advisory, Albay Gov. Noel Rosal stated that the suspension will allow schools and concerned authorities to conduct sanitation, inspect potential mosquito-breeding areas, and implement other dengue prevention and control activities. Students have been advised to remain at home during the suspension and take appropriate precautions against mosquito bites. Parents and guardians were also urged to monitor their children for signs and symptoms of dengue and seek immediate medical attention when necessary.
The University of Santo Tomas-Legazpi announced that its basic education classes will shift to online synchronous learning starting Sept. 14 until further notice. Office operations will continue as usual. The Divine Word College of Legazpi also announced that classes in all levels will shift to online synchronous learning effective Sept. 14 until further notice.
On Sept. 17, the provincial government will conduct a simultaneous "search and destroy" activity in all 720 barangays, including schools, with local government units and communities tasked with inspecting and eliminating potential mosquito-breeding sites. To augment municipalities' fogging equipment, the provincial government will provide one fogging machine to each of Albay's 15 municipalities.
The provincial government, in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development - Bicol, will also provide rice for work to residents participating in the cleanup activities. Meanwhile, all hospitals managed by the provincial government have been placed on red alert ahead of a possible surge in dengue patients. The advisory also directed city, municipal, and barangay disaster risk reduction and management councils to closely monitor their respective areas and take appropriate actions.
Rosal urged the public, LGUs, schools, and other concerned sectors to remain on heightened alert and cooperate closely with health authorities to prevent the further spread of dengue in communities.
