THE City Health Office (CHO) - Tropical Division has reported a decline in dengue-related deaths in Davao City, from 18 recorded between January 1 and May 31, 2024, to 12 in the same period this year, 2025.
According to Melodina Babante, coordinator of the CHO Tropical Division, the office initially recorded 16 dengue-related deaths in 2025. However, further investigation confirmed that four of these were caused by leptospirosis.
The number of dengue cases also dropped this year. As of June 2025, there have been 1,682 recorded cases, compared to 1,942 in the same period last year. The majority of these patients were children between five and nine years old, with 855 of the total cases involving male patients.
Babante also identified the barangays with the highest number of dengue cases. Barangay 76-A topped the list and currently does not have its dengue task force. It was followed by Buhangin, which has a high number of transient residents; Talomo Proper, which only recently formed its Dengue Task Force; Tibungco; Calinan; Catalunan Grande; Matina Crossing; Cabantian; and Maa.
She added that, as of June 2025, only 58 of the city’s 182 barangays have active dengue task forces, although this marks an improvement from just 35 in 2024. The CHO is urging all barangays to establish their own task forces to help reduce dengue cases in their communities.
The CHO also reminded the public that citation tickets are being issued to violators of City Ordinance No. 0401, Series of 2020, which requires all barangays to form their own Barangay Mosquito-Borne Diseases Task Force (BMDTF). Violators of Section 16 of the ordinance face increasing penalties: a ₱1,000 fine and two days of community service for the first offense, ₱3,000 and four hours of community service for the second offense, and ₱5,000 and four hours of community service for the third offense.
“Kita ang solution sa problema, ang katawhan sa Davao City ang solution kay naa sa atoa nakasalalay ang dako nga task o buluhaton para matagaan natu ug solusyon ang dako nga problem kay perenial problem ang dengue (We are the solution to this problem. The people of Davao City must take responsibility and act because dengue is a recurring issue),” Babante said during the ISpeak media forum held Thursday morning, June 26, 2025, at the City Mayor’s Office.
The CHO continues to encourage the public to consistently observe the 5S strategy: search and destroy mosquito breeding sites, practice self-protection, seek early consultation when symptoms appear, support community fogging efforts, and sustain proper hydration to help prevent the spread of dengue in the city.
June is also being observed as National Dengue Awareness Month, with this year’s theme: “Kada alas kuwatro tayo’y gumalaw. Tayo’y mag-4Ts araw-araw.” RGP