As dengue cases rose by 143% this year, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) today rallied all local government units (LGUs), particularly barangays, to implement countermeasures such as clean-up drives to prevent the spread of dengue in communities.

DILG Secretary Benjamin ‘Benjur’ Abalos, Jr. said the alarming increase of dengue cases must be tackled down to the grassroots level now that millions of students have gone back to face-to-face classes. He said LGUs must step up their countermeasures in communities to reduce cases by the end of the year.

“Dengue remains to be a public health threat and with the escalating cases in the country today, LGUs must take a proactive stance and implement strategies to protect our people in the communities from this deadly disease,” Abalos said.

“Hindi na po tayo bago sa dengue outbreak at napagtagumpayan na natin ito. Sa pangunguna ng mga LGU sa pamayaman, malalagpasan ulit natin ito,” he added.

According to the Department of Health (DOH), the 118,785 recorded cases from January 1 to August 13, 2022 translating to a 143 percent jump is a far cry from the 48,867 during the same period last year.

DOH data show that most dengue cases this year or 18 percent were reported in Central Luzon at 21,247 followed by Central Visayas with 11,390 cases (10 percent), and the National Capital Region (NCR) with 11,064 (9 percent). The death toll due to dengue across the country has also reached 400 last month.

Abalos said as dengue cases increase, LGUs must lead in implementing measures that can counter its proliferation, especially in regions of the country, where dengue cases are high.

“Inaasahan namin na pangungunahan ng mga LGUs ang pagsugpo sa tumataas na kaso ng dengue sa mga pamayanan,” he said.

Fighting dengue in the barangays

DILG Secretary Abalos said that LGUs can activate the Aksyon Barangay Kontra Dengue (ABKD) in all communities to elicit a movement to counter the spread of dengue in communities.

He said that ABKD, an inter-agency effort against dengue, has been institutionalized since 2012 and has led to victories in the battle against the deadly disease.

Under ABKD, Punong Barangays (PBs) shall lead in the clean-up drive within the community by mobilizing volunteers, residents, and barangay health teams such as the Barangay Health Emergency Response Team and Barangay Health Workers.

Meanwhile, local chief executives (LCE) are expected to monitor the health situation in their jurisdiction; provide dengue data for partner agencies; and ensure dengue patients are provided with timely and proper medical attention, among others.

Abalos likewise urged the public to partake in reducing dengue cases by exercising the ‘Enhanced 4S’ or the search and destroy breeding sites; seek early consultation; self-protection; and say ‘Yes’ to fogging only in hotspot areas where an increase is registered for two consecutive weeks.

“What we learned during the pandemic is that the government cannot eliminate a disease alone. Kailangan po ang pakikiisa ng ating mga kababayan upang maging matagumpay ang ating mga hakbangin kontra dengue. Magtulungan po tayo,” he said.

Original Article at: https://dilg.gov.ph/news/DILG-to-LGUs-Implement-countermeasures-vs-dengue-in-communities/NC-2022-1135