Students, civic groups urged to join massive clean up

PUBLIC elementary and high schools, state colleges and universities (SUCs), and civic organizations were urged to join the launching of the “People Power Do Day Kontra Dengue” on July 2, 2012.

Governor Arthur Defensor Sr. ordered the conduct of a province-wide clean up activity in the wake of the continued rise of dengue fever cases.

Defensor also called on all the mayors in the province to lead a similar activity in their respective municipalities in order to destroy all possible breeding places of dengue-carrying mosquitoes.

The ceremonial launching will be held in the Pavia covered gym at 7:30 a.m. Pavia has the most number of dengue cases at 73 with three deaths.

Moreover, Defensor called on the public to continue the so-called 4 o’clock habit, or the cleaning of surroundings every 4 p.m., without letup.

Data from the Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (Pesu) of the Provincial Health Office (PHO) show that from January 1 to June 16 the province already has 629 dengue cases with 12 deaths.

The figures were 279 percent higher than the cases recorded in the same period last year (166 cases with one death), and 21 percent higher than the 2010 figures for the same period (520 cases with six deaths).

The PHO considered 21 barangays in the province as “dengue hotspots”.
These are: Bancal, Alimodian; Iniligan, Badiangan; San Lucas, Barotac Viejo; San Jose, Dingle; Cali, Dumangas; Botongan, Estancia; Jibolo, Janiuay; Cagamutan Norte, Leganes; Poblacion NW Zone, Lemery; Talacuan, Leon; Butalan, Maasin; Mina East (Pob.), Mina; Cagbang, Oton; Ungka I, Pagsangaan, Amparo, Balabag, and Purok II, Pavia; Santo Niño and Consolacion, San Miguel; Tungay, Santa Barbara, and Teniente Benito, Tubungan.

Defensor admitted the dengue situation in the province is very alarming. However, he said it can still be minimized with the help of the entire community. (ECG/PR)