Davao City – While they swept the city and stayed in crowded gyms during Christmas season, 23 Lumad babies were born, while 10 died, in statistics released by the City Social Services and Development Office (CSSDO) during Monday’s Kapehan sa SM.
CSSDO assistant chief Liwayway Caligdong said the mortality figures were mainly due to sickness and vehicular accidents.
Eight barangay gyms in the city are being used as temporary shelters for 11, 854 Lumad families.
Records of the CSSDO show that there are three deaths each from Toril and Calinan gym, one in Bankerohan, two in Matina Shanghai, and one from Bunawan gym.
The government also monitored 23 newborn Lumads, 12 of whom were born in Buhangin gym.
Caligdong said that the City Health Office is watching out for any epidemic, adding that Lumads mostly complained of symptoms of
pneumonia and gastroenteritis.
“Mao lagi ning isa ka problema ginabantayan gyud sa City Health Office nga walay epidemya. Kay once nga epidemic na delikado na gyud labi na syempre makita man nato nga congested , ang health and sanitation ang mga ventilation, and all the factors nga mag-affect sa ilang health conditions (The City Health Office is ensuring that there is no epidemic because it will be risky especially with the kind of condition the Lumads have in the congested shelters),” she said.
The visiting Lumads are set to go home on December 26. (davaotoday.com)
