In anticipation of an increase in the number of dengue cases, the Department of Health (DoH) signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with barangay (village) officials in Caloocan City on the first-ever “Asean Dengue Day” as part of efforts to intensify the campaign against the dreaded mosquito-borne disease.
Under the MOA, all of the city’s barangays agreed to allocate one percent of their internal revenue allotment (IRA) for the campaign against dengue in their respective areas.
The barangay officials, led by Liga ng mga Barangay president and Councilor RJ Echiverri, promised to embark on a massive awareness campaign, regular cleanup operations and a mosquito-control program.
According to the city’s public information office, the one-percent allocation was “a first in the city” since each barangay has been spending money for its antidengue campaign with the amount being decided by local officials.
In celebration of the first Asean Dengue Day, representatives of the World Health Organization (WHO), DoH and the city government held a motorcade around the city to teach residents how they can avoid the disease.
In Marikina City, officials said that residents already knew how to prevent dengue in their homes.
According to Dr. Honielyn Fernando, Marikina assistant city health officer, since dengue is a year-long threat, her office has been implementing a zealous campaign against the disease since the start of the year.
“Far from the customary belief, dengue isn’t only a seasonal disease. It poses a threat all year round, thus in Marikina, we are persistent with our campaigns in order to eliminate the said disease,” she said in a statement.