Dapitan City is taking a decisive stand against dengue with the launch of its Intensified Anti-Dengue Campaign, prompted by the alarming rise in cases. As of December 28, 2023, the city has recorded 444 dengue cases, with 6 tragic fatalities. 

Recognizing the severity of the situation, City Mayor Seth Frederick “Bullet” P. Jalosjos has issued Executive Order (EO) 49 series of 2023, outlining a comprehensive plan to combat the mosquito-borne disease.

The campaign, spearheaded by the Dapitan City Anti-Dengue Task Force (DCATF), emphasizes environmental sanitation as the key preventive measure and the City Health Office (CHO) recognizes that eliminating mosquito breeding sites is crucial to controlling dengue outbreaks.

Recognizing that Community participation is at the heart of the campaign, Mayor Jalosjos calls all Dapitanons to work together to break the chain of dengue transmission and protect our community and the DCATF will lead a Clean-Up and Information Drive in all barangays.

The EO also mandates all barangays to establish its own Anti-Dengue Task Force, chaired by the Punong Barangay and including key community members like the Sangguniang Kabataan Chairman, health officials, and school representatives. These task forces will be responsible for:

• Ensure that every household and establishment within its jurisdiction shall dispose, empty, and seal, containers that may be filled with rainwater, etc.; regularly clean containers or replace water in containers that are usually filled with water, such as drums, aquariums, ponds, animal feeding bowls, pools, etc; and keep its respective surroundings and areas of responsibility clean; 
• Implement a once-a-week Clean-Up Drive of the possible mosquito breeding area;
• Conduct mass information and education within its territorial jurisdiction regarding the control, prevention, and elimination of dengue;
• Assist in the surveillance and reporting of dengue cases;
• Submit a report to the DCATF on the status of the reported dengue cases, its prevalence, and the implementation of the provisions of this EO in their respective jurisdiction

The success of the campaign hinges on the active participation of every Dapitanon. The City Government of Dapitan invites everyone to join hands, clean our surroundings, and spread the message of prevention. (PR)