By Jordan G. Habbiling-SP-PIO   With the first case of Mpox reported in Baguio City, a seven-year-old proposed ordinance, once enacted, could help keep the numbers to a minimum. Amid rapid urbanization and the constant influx of tourists that could exacerbate the spread of emerging and re-emerging diseases, a proposed Sanitation Code has been reintroduced to tackle challenges on public health. The proposed ordinance creating the Sanitation Code of Baguio City is sponsored by Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda. It was approved by the Baguio City Council on second reading on January 13, 2025 and is set to be published soon in a local newspaper. In an interview, Tabanda said certain provisions of the original proposal, particularly those addressing regulations for massage spas, fitness centers or gyms, accommodation establishments, public restrooms, and other spaces frequented by the public, will be “tweaked” to make them more responsive in addressing emerging and reemerging diseases such as Mpox. In addition to addressing the city’s ongoing health challenges, Tabanda said the proposed Sanitation Code aims to unify and localize all relevant health and sanitation laws to serve as a practical reference and guide for the city government in enforcing these regulations. Serving as the current chairperson of the City Council’s Committee on Health, Sanitation, Ecology, and Environmental Protection, Tabanda explained that the first draft will definitely undergo several changes to accommodate comments and suggestions both by the citizens and her fellow city council members. The proposed Code is set to undergo a series of public consultations to provide an opportunity for stakeholders to give comments and recommendations for the enhancement of the proposal. The initial draft was crafted by Engr. Charles Carame, the former head of the Environmental Sanitation Division of the City Health Services Office (CHSO). In an interview, Carame said the proposal started in 2018, but its legislative progress was stalled due to various factors including pending actions by previous sponsors and COVID-19 restrictions. The Environment Code of Baguio City, a landmark ordinance enacted by the Baguio City Council in 2016, served as a foundation for the proposed Sanitation Code. While the Environment Code addresses a broader range of issues on environment, the proposed Sanitation Code seeks to specifically target health and sanitation-related policies. Aside from the Environment Code, the city government relies primarily on Presidential Decree No. 856 or the Code on Sanitation, for the implementation of sanitation-related regulations. However, this national law is deemed outdated, with some provisions no longer applicable to the city. Therefore, there is a pressing need for Baguio, a highly urbanized city, to adopt its own Sanitation Code that is tailored to address its unique needs and circumstances. Furthermore, there are existing local ordinances that align with the provisions of the proposed Sanitation Code. By consolidating these local and national laws into a single Code, the city government will be more efficient and consistent in implementing sanitation policies. The devastation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent emergence of Mpox have underscored the urgent need for the swift enactment of the proposed Code. Once enacted, it will serve as a preventive tool against emerging and reemerging diseases in the city. Codified regulations on health and sanitation are outlined across 28 articles and 104 sections under the proposed ordinance. These include requirements for water supply systems, food and non-food establishments, markets, laundries, schools, industrial and public facilities, and various service-oriented businesses such as nightclubs, beauty parlors, and massage clinics.   There are also certain regulations in the proposed Code that address specific public areas such as public transport, camps, and swimming pools. These regulations set standards for hygiene, waste management, and safety. Additional provisions focus on environmental health including sewage management, waste disposal, vermin control, and the handling of health care and animal-related waste. With the first case of Mpox in the city, the urgency of enacting the proposed Sanitation Code has become a priority. By enforcing unified health and sanitation standards in various settings, these regulations under the proposed Sanitation Code could intensify the city government’s efforts in preventing the spread of emerging and reemerging diseases and enhance the community’s resilience against future outbreaks.

BAGUIO CITY – The City Health Services Office reported the second case of Monkeypox or ‘mpox’ in Baguio City. It can be recalled that on January 17, the first case of mpox was detected from a 28-year-old man who underwent isolation and after a few days, he recovered and is now recovering. According to the CSHO, the second laboratory-confirmed case of Mpox was reported to the DOH on January 18 from a 22-year-old man, a resident of Baguio, who has no travel history outside the Philippines but had close contact two weeks before the onset of symptoms. They said the patient sought consultation at a private hospital, where specimens were taken from skin lesions and sent to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM). PCR test results showed that the specimens tested positive for Monkeypox viral DNA, indicating that his infection was also caused by the less severe Clade II strain, the same as the first Mpox case in the city. The CHSO said the patient was discharged from the hospital on January 21 and went straight to home isolation. The patient has two identified close contacts who are asymptomatic but have been advised to home quarantine until February 6, while the other is advised to quarantine until February 24. Mayor Benjamin Magalong and City Health Officer Dr. Celia Flor Brillantes told the public that there is no reason to panic, however, they strongly reminded the public to practice routine health protocols such as frequent hand washing, wearing face masks, and physical distancing especially in crowded places. “There is no need to panic. We just need to wash our hands frequently, wear long sleeves or jackets, avoid exposure to people because Mpox can be acquired through the skin or through contaminated objects like bedding, towels, etc.” Dr. Brillantes stated. Since both cases were found to have a history of close intimate contact, the CHSO also emphasized that Mpox can be transmitted through close contact activities such as prolonged exposure, kissing, hugging, and close contact with an infected person. Flu-like symptoms appeared, with body aches, chills, and fatigue. A peculiar rash on the palms, face, arms, thorax, and back followed. With the upcoming large gatherings and celebrations in the city, such as Panagbenga, the CHSO reiterated that there is no cause for alarm because the virus is not transmitted like the COVID-19 virus, but still calls for the observation of precautionary measures to prevent spread and transmission. According to the Department of Health, a total of 52 cases of Mpox were recorded in various parts of the country in December 2024.