Makati’s war vs dengue still on despite fewer cases

The Makati City government has warned owners of establishments and contractors with ongoing projects to keep their premises free of potential breeding sites for dengue mosquitos.

The warning was issued recently despite a decline in the number of dengue cases in the city from January to March this year compared to the same period in 2013.

According to the Makati Health Department, the number of dengue cases went down by 8.6 percent from Jan. 1 to March 13 compared to the same period last year. In 2013, dengue cases in the city also decreased by 27.2 percent as only 558 residents were stricken with the disease compared to 767 in 2012.

“We are determined to further bring down dengue incidence in Makati. To remain effective, our continuous clean-up drive in the barangays (villages) should be supported by the strict compliance of owners and contractors of establishments and construction sites with the Anti-Dengue Vector Ordinance of Makati,” Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr. said in a statement.

City Ordinance No. 2012-007 orders all owners, managers, administrators and/or caretakers of households, schools, vacant lots, abandoned houses and various types of business establishments to clean up and constantly monitor their premises to avoid the accumulation of stagnant water where dengue-carrying mosquitos may breed.

Buildings and structures under construction are also prohibited from accumulating stagnant water and solid waste at the site.

Under the ordinance, first-time offenders will receive a warning and render three hours of community service in an area designated by the Makati Health Department.

For the second offense, violators will be charged a P1,000 fine and three hours of community service. They may also be imprisoned for two days at the discretion of the court.

For the third offense, a P3,000 fine and three-hour community service or imprisonment of three days at the discretion of the court will be imposed on violators.