LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – The World Bank-funded anti-dengue project won by the environmental non-profit group PINE TREE during the Panibagong Paraan 2008 in Manila is now being put into action in this town.

An education and information campaign and intensive clean-up activities with some 200 anti-dengue volunteers in the 16 barangays are being done for the prevention of dengue.

The project is being implemented in close coordination with the municipal government and municipal health office.

PINE TREE conducted an orientation on the anti-dengue program last June 12 wherein some 106 anti-dengue volunteers from the 16 barangays of La Trinidad attended.

It was followed by the official launching of the program on June 14 WITH 400 volunteers parading from Benguet State University to the municipal park.

Councilors Romeo Salda and Francis Lee, who spoke during the program, applauded the enthusiasm of the volunteers and exhorted them to continue their noble work because “it is only by intensive community action that the dengue problem can be licked,” they said.

During the anti-dengue orientation, noted medical expert Dr. Charles Cheng spoke on strategies on preventing dengue. The life cycle and characteristics of Aedes egypti or the dengue mosquito was discussed by entomologist Gemma Sabas from Benguet State University.

PINE TREE is providing clean-up mobilization funds amounting to P10,000 for each barangay to conduct intensive clean-up activities.

Some of the barangays that have already started their clean-up are barangays Poblacion and Cruz. Each barangay was advised to have a regular clean-up schedule especially this rainy season.

Thousands of educational flyers and brochures are being distributed by PINE TREE for households to learn the proper ways to prevent dengue.

According to PINE TREE director Dr. Michael Bengwayan, the organization will also be providing mosquito repellant plants like marigold to the barangays for residents to plant in their own yards. The PINE TREE staff will also be conducting house to house dialogues with parents and household members as well as schoolteachers on how to properly do clean-up activities with the volunteers. This will also serve as training for them on volunteerism.