DOH, Provincial LGU bring Aksyon Barangay Kontra Dengue campaign to Itogon, Benguet

By Carlito C. Dar

Monday 2nd of July 2012

ITOGON, Benguet, July 2 (PIA) -- The Aksyon Barangay Kontra Dengue (ABKD) campaign was launched in Barangay Tuding, this town, last June 28 by the provincial government of Benguet, in partnership with the Department of Health (DOH-CAR) and in coordination with the municipal government of Itogon.

The ABKD is among the anti-dengue strategies of DOH that is implemented in the barangays through the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). In a memorandum, DILG enjoins all local government units (LGUs) down to the barangay level to take an active participation and spur community actions against the dreadful dengue virus. It also mandates LGUs to enact ordinances or legislations for dengue prevention and control, allocate funds for the same and for the barangay officials to take the lead in mobilizing the community in doing regular cleanup drive/activities.

DOH-Cordillera Assistant Regional Director Dr. Valeriano Lopez disclosed during the said activity that from January up to June 25 this year, 792 dengue cases have already been recorded all over the region, which shows a one percent increase compared to the same period last year.

He said that the province of Benguet ranked third in terms of dengue, with 124 cases. Ifugao with 240 cases and Kalinga with 175 cases ranked as the top two provinces with most dengue cases. Baguio City ranked fourth, with 82 cases.

Lopez also stressed the need for the government and the community to work together in the fight against dengue, as dengue-carrying mosquitoes tend to breed and reproduce easier with the climate change.

DOH-CAR Regional Dengue Coordinator Dr. Alexei Marrero also stressed the fight against dengue must be a shared responsibility as it affects or is a threat to everyone.

“The dengue virus can afflict anyone of us, which is why dengue prevention must start in each of us, in our homes and in our families. Let us ensure that our homes and surroundings are clean and free from possible dengue mosquito breeding sites,” Marrero said.

According to Marrero, most of the recorded dengue cases in Benguet came from the municipality of La Trinidad and Itogon, which in the case of Itogon came from the barangays of Virac, Tuding and Loacan.

He reiterated the health department’s call for community actions, especially the barangays affected with dengue, to intensify their campaign against dengue through the ABKD campaign. He also encouraged local teachers to enjoin parents and students for the creation of anti-dengue brigades to ensure that school premises are also clean and free from dengue-carrying mosquitoes.(JDP/CCD/PIA CAR)