Iloilo gives PHP 5,000 to 483 dengue-free barangays

By Mariela Angella Oladive

A total of 483 of Iloilo Province’s 1,721 barangays will receive PHP 5,000 each from the provincial government after remaining dengue-free from January to October 2025, based on Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit records.

The provincial government allocated PHP 2.459 million from the Provincial Health Office general fund to finance the incentives.

“The cash incentives are intended to support the continuation of barangay-level anti-dengue programs,” PHO chief Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon said in a statement.

She said the funds may be used for vector control activities, information and education campaigns, and other localized health initiatives aimed at preventing a resurgence of dengue cases.

Earlier in 2025, Iloilo faced a serious dengue threat, with projections warning of possible cases reaching up to 21,000 — comparable to the 2019 surge that strained rural health units and hospitals.

However, the province said coordinated efforts led by Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., the Provincial Dengue Task Force and local government units limited total cases to 5,700, significantly lower than initial projections.

To recognize barangays that recorded zero dengue cases during the monitoring period, the governor issued Executive Order No. 162, Series of 2025, authorizing the release of the financial incentives.

The checks may be claimed at the Provincial Treasurer’s Office at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol until March 31, 2026.

Only the punong barangay or the barangay treasurer is authorized to claim the check upon presentation of one valid ID and the official barangay receipt.

The provincial government said the complete list of eligible barangays is available at bit.ly/4cn3ysa.

For more information, barangay officials may coordinate with the dengue program coordinator of their city or municipal health office or visit the Iloilo Provincial Health Office.

Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral disease commonly spread by Aedes mosquitoes, and local health offices typically emphasize cleanup drives and the removal of stagnant water to reduce breeding sites.