SAN FERNANDO, PAMPANGA - The City Health Office-Environmental Health and Sanitation Division (CHO-EHSD) has started a city-wide assessment and fogging/fumigation campaign in public schools across San Fernando, launching the operations immediately following heavy rains and localized flooding to ensure school grounds are safe from health hazards. The initiative is part of a "Brigada Eskwela 2.0" order issued by City Mayor Vilma Balle-Caluag to address school facility damages caused by the severe weather. The campaign specifically targets two major health risks: dengue, by preventing mosquito breeding in stagnant rainwater, and leptospirosis, by eliminating bacterial threats from contaminated floodwaters.
Why This Campaign Matters Now More Than Ever
The timing of the campaign is critical. Following heavy rains and flooding, stagnant water can collect in various containers and areas around school grounds, creating ideal breeding sites for mosquitoes that carry dengue. Floodwaters can also be contaminated with bacteria that cause leptospirosis, a potentially fatal infection that can enter the body through cuts or breaks in the skin. By conducting fogging and fumigation operations immediately after the floods, the city aims to eliminate these health threats before students return to their classrooms, ensuring a safe learning environment for all.
Schools Covered in the First Batch
The initial operations have covered several public schools in the city, including Baliti Integrated School, Panipuan High School, Panipuan Elementary School, Malino Integrated School, Pulung Bulu Integrated School, Telabastagan Integrated School, and San Pablo Integrated School. The CHO-EHSD is continuing its assessment and fogging activities in other schools across the city, with the goal of covering all public educational institutions. This proactive approach reflects the city government's commitment to prioritizing the health and safety of students and school personnel, especially in the wake of natural disasters.
