DOH, LGUs join hands in battle vs dengue – Palace

Even as it said the Department of Health is coordinating more closely with local government units to fight dengue, Malacañang on Saturday appealed to the public to do their part to keep their surroundings clean, to prevent dengue-carrying mosquitoes from breeding. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte also reminded local government units of Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo’s order to conduct cleanups in their respective areas. “Nagko-coordinate ang DOH sa local government units natin. Si Sec. Robredo has ordered LGUs to conduct a cleanup. Importante lalo in certain areas, tumataas ang kaso. Importante manatiling malinis ang paligid," Valte said on government-run dzRB radio. She appealed to residents to heed the DOH’s advice and bring their children to health centers or hospitals when they detect the symptoms of dengue. “Hindi na seasonal ang dengue, endemic na siya (Dengue is no longer a seasonal disease. It is a year-round threat)," she said. Earlier, Robredo called on all governors, city and municipal mayors, barangay chairmen, including local health officers to conduct cleanup activities in their respective localities. He also urged local officials to enforce environmental sanitation efforts such as:

• dredging of clogged canals, esteros, and other waterways;
• pruning thick bushes or tree branches;
• removing or draining receptacles containing stagnant water; and
• conducting massive information drive on environmental control of breeding sites especially in endemic areas.

Robredo asked local chief executives to undertake the cleanup drive for two consecutive weekends: on August 20-21 and August 27-28 to stop the spread of the disease. — LBG, GMA News