Citywide clean up drive vs dengue kicks off today

A city-wide clean-up drive kicks off today, June 4, 2022 at La Paz district as part of the Iloilo City government’s measure against dengue cases.

Councilor Allan Zaldivar, chairman of the Committee on Health of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP), said that the city-wide clean up drive under his “Ugsaran Tinluan Para Balatian Malikawan Kontra Dengue” is now on its third year of implementation.

The clean-up drive will target the possible breeding sites of dengue-carrying mosquitoes.

“Ini na ang ikatlo nga tuig sang aton nga programa. Since nagpungko kita nga konsehal, biskan ara kita sa pandemic, we were able to maintain this program,” he said in an interview with a local radio station.

The city-wide clean-up drive will start with a short program at 6:30 a.m. at La Paz plaza. Church bells shall also be tolled alongside the sirens of fire trucks before the start of the clean-up activity.

According to Zaldivar, this will signify that the community is one in fighting against dengue.

“Ang aton nga mga lingganay igabagtingon. It will signify that we are one in fighting dengue and that we are creating awareness. We are very serious in dealing with this problem,” he stressed.

The councilor added that the clean-up will involve different stakeholders from the religious sector to the barangay officials, health workers, Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO), Bureau of Fire and Protection (BFP) and police personnel.

He stressed that the responsibility of fighting against dengue is a shared one and each member of the community must do their part.

“Wala makabulig tapna sang dengue kundi kita man mismo. Kada isa sa aton may responsibilidad indi lang mga barangay officials,” he said.

From Jan. 1 to May 21 this year, Iloilo City logged 48 dengue cases which is 56 % lower than during the same period last year.

The top barangays with two cases each include Bakhaw in Mandurriao; Balabago, San Pedro, MH del Pilar and Tabuc Suba, in Jaro district. (DG)