Dengue surge, floods prompt province-wide cleanup

The Iloilo provincial government is set to launch a province-wide clean-up and clearing operation as additional measures against dengue and flooding in June amid the start of the rainy season.

Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. issued Executive Order (EO) No. 271 on Tuesday, May 24, 2022 mandating the implementation for the “Limpyo sa Hunyo 2022: Panglimyo Para sa Dengue Kag Baha” in the province.

With the onset of the rainy season and the Alert Level 1 Classification, the provincial government said it is timely for the execution of the health and disaster risk reduction and management components of “Limpyo Iloilo” this coming June.

The “Limpyo Hunyo 2022” will include province wide clean-up and clearing operation together with the convergence partners for an intensified implementation of the 5S Strategy Against Dengue particularly search and destroy of mosquito breeding sites, securing self-protection, seeking early consultation, supporting fogging/spraying only in hotspot areas, and observance of safety and health protocols.

For the whole month of June, the “4 o’clock habit” or searching and destroying mosquito-breeding places shall be practiced daily in the province every 4 p.m.

Meanwhile, the provincial government also enjoins the public to use light-colored clothing and long-sleeves top, long pants, and socks during daytime as well as application of insect repellant.

Early treatment seeking behavior for those experiencing signs and symptoms is likewise encouraged.

The E.O. also mandates fogging/spraying in hotspot areas where there is a registered increase in cases for a period of two consecutive weeks.

Aside from the implementation of 5S against dengue, the province will also intensify its road clearing operation to be spearheaded by the Bantay Dalanon Task Force as a measure against flooding, pursuant to Department of the Interior and Local Government Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 2020-145.

The road clearing operations shall focus on the clearing of waterways such as rivers, canals, esteros, creeks, ponds; removal of illegal or unauthorized road obstructions along the road right-of-way; and elimination of wastes and litter on roadsides and waterways.

“Limpyo sa Hunyo 2022” is a component of Limpyo Iloilo, an umbrella cleanup program of the provincial government which involves the national government, LGUs, NGOs, people’s organizations, the academe, religious organizations, media, business sector, socio-civil organizations, and other convergence partners.

Based on the data from the Department of Health Region 6 (DOH-6), Iloilo province registered a 59% increase in its number of dengue cases this year.

Iloilo province logged 222 cases with six deaths from January 1 to May 14 this year compared to the 140 cases recorded in the same period last year. (DG)