S. Mindanao folk readied for El Niño

DAVAO CITY — Disaster teams from the Department of Health (DOH) have been dispatched to remote areas in Southern Mindanao to warn villagers of illnesses usually brought about by the El Niño phenomenon such as diarrhea, skin disorders and heat exhaustion.

The Department of Agriculture has identified Southern and Central Mindanao as among the areas to be affected by the El Niño phenomenon which is expected to hit the country early next year.

The two regions were the worst-hit by the extreme drought that occurred in 1998, claiming the lives of over 100 villagers in remote barangays.

Dr. Francis Alivio, a DOH medical specialist, said the department continues to coordinate with local government units (LGUs) in the region to facilitate the distribution of chlorine for water disinfection and Oresol (oral rehydration solution) packets to combat diarrhea.

In a radio interview, Alivio said provincial health officers and sanitary engineers throughout Southern Mindanao have been asked to safeguard water sources in their respective areas. — Edith Regalado