MABALACAT CITY – “An act unbecoming of a public off cer,” was how a former councilor described the conduct of re-electionist Dau Barangay Captain Atlas Morales during the health forum conducted by the Department of Health (DOH) at the Fontana Leisure Parks on October 12.
Dr. Oscar Aurelio, a medical doctor by profession, said Morales’ act “is a wanton disregard for a critical situation that needs a serious response from the people who are sworn to provide the basic services to alleviate the suffering of our people.”
Morales was seen chatting nonchalantly and even laughing by witnesses during the health forum where Dau, this city’s premiere business district, was identified as having the highest number of dengue cases in the province.
Dau residents who had members of their families afflicted by dengue also complained of Moralers’ alleged “permanent absence” whenever they sought his help. But Morales denied that he was indifferent to the plight of his constituents.
He said the Rural Health Unit (RHU) 2 which covers barangays Dau, Lakandula, Camachiles, Ducquit and Bical has only identified less than 100 cases from January to September this year or much less than the reported outbreak of more than 500 cases reported in the health forum.
Morales also admitted being present in the health forum but denied not paying attention to the highly disturbing report concerning his barangay. He said cases of dengue in his barangay are immediately acted upon especially with a report from the chairman in the area where it was recorded.
The village chief said he conducts regular fogging operations in areas prone to dengue in his barangay.
Meanwhile, Aurelio said in his three terms as councilor, the anti-dengue prevention program had always been his priority under the health care agenda of the mayor. “We were able to decrease the number of dengue incidence to a manageable level without deaths for several years,” he said.
Aurelio is Morales’ rival for the top post in Barangay Dau.
