CITY OF SAN FERNANDO --- The Provincial Health Office (PHO), in partnership with the Department of Health (DOH) and municipal government of Guagua, led the 13th ASEAN Dengue Day celebration held at Pulungmasle Elementary School over the weekend.

The event aims to raise public awareness about dengue and involve citizens in the fight against the deadly disease.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Secretariat launched in 2011 an annual advocacy campaign day for dengue prevention and control.

The campaign recognized the immense human, social and economic impact of dengue disease in the region and the need for action.

The event is held every June 15 in all of Asean’s 10 member states.

Asean Dengue Day provides a common platform for cooperation and exchange among stakeholders in raising dengue prevention and awareness.

The event in Guagua town was held with an Aksyon Barangay Kontra Dengue (ABKD) lecture, an insecticide discussion, and In2Care discussion.

The provincial government also distributed backpacks to 267 school students and six liters of insecticide to each of the 31 barangays in Guagua.

Guagua Mayor Anthony Joseph "Tonton" Torres praised the health workers in his town for their dedication to providing services to their fellow citizens.

The PHO said the ASEAN Dengue Day was held in Guagua because it is one of those that have shown excellence in implementing anti-dengue programs.