Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. said the provincial government wants to sustain the cleanup drive against dengue and make it a daily habit in the province.
Limpyo sa Hunyo 2022 is a clean-up and clearing operation against dengue and flooding which is being implemented through Executive Order 271, Series of 2022.
It includes the implementation of the 5S Strategy against dengue namely Search and destroy mosquito-breeding sites, employ Self-protection measures, Seek early consultation, Support fogging/spraying only in hotspot areas, and Safety and health protocols.
“We want to institutionalize dengue cleanup as a habit. It is a very simple solution but is very effective,” Defensor said during the launching of Limpyo sa Hunyo 2022: Panglimpyo Para sa Dengue kag Baha on Friday morning at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol.
While the clearing operations will focus on waterways and removal of illegal or unauthorized road obstructions.
The governor thanked the convergence partners joining the activity such as the concerned national government agencies, local government units, non-government organizations, people’s organizations, socio-civic organizations, the academe, religious organizations, the media, business sector, and other sectors.
The launching was followed by a caravan in all five districts in the province.
Department of Health VI (DOH-6) assistant regional director Dr. Ma. Sophia Pulmones lauded the province of Iloilo for its “urgent action to respond to the increasing risk of dengue outbreak.”
“This is your public pronouncement of commitment to further raise awareness to prevent and institute actions to respond to the challenges of dengue,” she said.
Pulmones said today’s event also coincides with the ASEAN Dengue Day 2022.
She added that dengue prevention is everyone’s concern and starts in the household.
“Dengue prevention starts with every municipality, every barangay, every purok. And most importantly in our household. It is important that all of us in our respective households start to do dengue prevention and control,” she said.
Pulmones stressed that there is a need for an aggressive campaign against the disease as this year marks the epidemic threshold of dengue which occurs every three years.
To recall, the province of Iloilo declared a dengue outbreak in 2019 after recording 22,169 cases with 78 deaths. Hospitals and rural health units were overwhelmed with dengue patients.
From January 1 to June 11, 2022, the Provincial Health Office has reported 460 cases, including 6 deaths. Several barangays have also recorded clustering of cases.
“We do not want a repeat of that scenario this year,” the DOH official said.
Meanwhile, Defensor turned over checks worth P2 million each to the municipalities of Lambunao, Zarraga, Guimbal, Miagao, Banate, and Ajuy for the procurement of rescue boats. They are among the initial 15 beneficiaries.
The governor said this is the province’s way of supporting the disaster risk reduction and management initiatives of the municipalities. (LHC/Capitol news)
