Aedes aegypti mosquito. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Bong Go appealed to local government units (LGUs) and the general public on Thursday to keep communities clean amid the reported surge in dengue cases in some areas in the Visayas and Mindanao.
Go, who chaired the Senate committee on health in the 18th Congress, said LGUs should be prepared to prevent and control possible dengue outbreaks during the rainy season.
“Malaki po ang epekto ng malinis na kapaligiran sa pag-iwas natin sa mga sakit. Kaya naman umaapela ako sa mga komunidad natin na panatilihin natin na malinis ang ating kapaligiran, lalu na kapag may stagnant water na pinamamahayan ng mga lamok,” Go said in a statement.
(Having a clean surrounding makes a huge impact in preventing diseases. That’s why we are appealing to communities to keep their surroundings clean, especially if there is stagnant water where mosquitoes may use for breeding.)
“Panatilihin din nating malinis ang mga eskwelahan lalu na‘t marami na ang nagsasagawa ng face-to-face classes (Let’s also keep our schools clean especially a lot of schools are already doing face-to-face classes),” he added.
The Department of Health (DOH) earlier reported an increase in dengue infections in Negros Occidental, Antique, Iloilo, Guimaras, Bacolod City, Aklan, Capiz, and the Davao Region.
Dengue is transmitted mainly by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which thrives in densely populated tropical climates and breed in stagnant water.
“Maging maingat tayo. Iwasan nating mag-iwan ng mga ipong tubig na hindi natatakpan at sirain ang mga breeding grounds ng mga lamok.” Go said.
(Let’s be careful. Let us avoid leaving behind stagnant water that are not covered.)
Malasakit Center
Go said those affected by dengue may also seek financial and medical assistance from the government through any of the Malasakit Centers across the country.
The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop that brings together all government agencies that offer medical assistance programs, such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development, DOH, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.
“Lapitan niyo lang, mayroon kayong Malasakit Center. Kung mayroon kayong kailangan, lapitan niyo lang ako, ako na ang tutulong sa inyo,” Go said.
(Just go there, you have the Malasakit Center. If you need anything, approach me, I will help you.)