BALANGA CITY – “Nakakabilib!” This was the term attributed to the inspiring record of the mountain town of Morong in Bataan in dengue prevention during the observance on Tuesday of ASEAN Dengue Day in Balanga City.
Data from the Provincial Health Office on dengue cases from January to the 24th Morbidity Week on June 16, 2012 showed that Bataan has 642 cases as compared to 378 cases for the same period in 2011 or an increase of 100%.
Of this number, Morong had only two cases in 2011 and none or zero in 2012.
While the graphs on dengue record on most of the rest of the 11 towns and one city significantly shot up, that of Morong was almost undetectable.
“Sa aming bayan wala kaming hinto sa pagpapaalaala sa mga barangay at sa mga pamilya na ang prevention sa dengue ay kalinisan,” said Morong municipal health officer Dr. Emma Bugay.
She said that they conducted weekly medical missions in different sitios and emphasized to villagers the value of cleanliness in homes and surroundings.
“Sinasabihan namin ang mga tao na iwasan at linisin ang breeding places ng lamok at kapag nakaramdam ng sintomas ng dengue agad ipaalam sa health center,” Bugay said.
For the period ending the 24th Morbidity Week in 2011, there were three deaths from dengue recorded, with two in Pilar town and one in Balanga City. One died in Mariveles for the same period in 2012.
Dr. Rosanna Buccahan, acting provincial health officer, said that the Department of Health has for the theme “Aksyon Barangay Kontra Dengue, Patibayin!” for Asean Dengue Day 2012.
She explained the objectives of the program with more emphasis on prevention with the involvement of the community.
Another bold reminder was “If they breed, you will bleed, Stop Dengue, Act Now!”
Dr. Leonita Gorgolan, Center for Health Development director in Region 3, lauded the PHO in Bataan for being the only province in Region 3 that observed Asean Dengue Day.
Buccahan with Gila Garcia, representative of the provincial governor, led in the short program at the Bataan capitol and later on the actual search and destroy activities of breeding places of dengue-carrying mosquitoes in Barangay Panilao in Pilar.
“Walang panahon ang dengue ngayon dahil sa climate change na palaging umuulan at hindi na alam kung kalian aaraw kaya kailangan ang prevention sa tulong ng mga community members,” Buccahan said.
Before the search and destroy activities, Pilar Mayor Carlos Pizarro, Jr. led in the signing of a pledge “Pangako ng Nagkakaisang Pagkilos Laban sa Dengue” at the covered court of Panilao.
“Ang problema sa dengue ay hindi lamang problema ng gobyerno kundi ng lahat kaya dapat sama-sama ang mga mamamayan sa paglilinis, sa pagkilos laban dito,” Pizarro said.
He said that he earlier met with all barangay officials of the town and discussed what to do.
Health workers made the rounds of the village and informed residents of ways of preventing dengue.
They inspected used tires on top of roofs and even fence made of boho that may contain rain water that serve as breeding places for dengue-carrying mosquitoes.
“Ayos ang ginagawa ng DOH,” resident Remedios Lazarte said.
