BONTOC, Mountain Province – With the unpredictable weather condition experienced now and typhoons hitting the country from time to time, health officials are reminding the public to take precautions against dengue.
A total of 56 cases were reported from January to August, thus raising the need for an intensified campaign against dengue and clean-up activities.
Mayor Jerome Tudlong, Jr. led the cleaning of the main roads and streets in the central barangays morning of July 29.
He also issued Memorandum Order 33 to officials, sangguniang bayan members led by Vice Mayor Eusebio Kabluyen, department heads and assistant heads, Municipal Fire Station, and Municipal Police Station directing them to attend the clean-up drive.
He also enjoined the 16 punong barangays to conduct a general cleaning in their respective barangays to contain the increasing dengue cases and maintain sanitation in the community.
Tudlong lauded the participants and volunteers for their attendance despite the 7.0 magnitude earthquake two days prior to the activity.
“Our battle against Covid-19 is still ongoing yet another virus has posed another threat to our community. Immediate action is necessary not only to contain the spread of the dengue virus but also to encourage our constituents to maintain clean and healthy surroundings,” he added.
The Municipal Health Office also conducted dengue indoor residual spraying, Oplan Taob; and information, education, and communication campaign in Bontoc Ili, Poblacion, and Caluttit on Aug. 1, 3, and 4, respectively.
Sanitation Inspector Nissan Gulian said eight teams composed of MHO personnel, nurses employed under the DOH-Nurse Deployment Program (NDP), barangay officials, barangay functionaries, MFS, MPS, Mountain Province Provincial Police Office, and Department of Education went around the barangays and have included private and public schools for the spraying and larvicide application.
Municipal Health Officer Diga Kay Gomez reiterated the “4 o clock habit,” which seeks to enjoin the communities to take time to weed out dengue breeding sites at 4 p.m. each day.
She also enjoined the community to maintain clean surroundings since used tires, cans, and plastics which are potential breeding sites of dengue-carrying mosquitoes were seen scattered around the roads, pathways, and yards in the barangay.
Gomez said spraying in other barangays will be scheduled while other private and government schools and agencies may coordinate with the MHO and request for the dengue residual spraying.
The anti-pest solution and sprayer were provided by the Provincial Health Office under Annie Claire Pekas and Carolyn D. Yawan. – Christy Mae F. Che-es
