BY IME SORNITO
ILOILO City – In a bid to curb the rising cases of dengue, local government units (LGUs), government offices, schools, barangays, and other stakeholders across Western Visayas are encouraged to participate in the nationwide launch of the “Alas-Kwatro Kontra Mosquito” campaign today at 4 p.m.
This year marks the third-year cycle of dengue outbreaks in the region, which historically leads to a surge in cases.
The Department of Health (DOH) has designated several provinces in the region, including Iloilo, Antique, Aklan, Guimaras, and Negros Occidental, to take part in this synchronized cleanup drive aimed at eliminating mosquito breeding sites.
Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral disease caused by the dengue virus, transmitted through bites of infected Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes.
Specific areas identified for participation include:
* Barangay Bolong Oeste, Sta. Barbara, Iloilo
* Municipality of San Dionisio, Iloilo
* Barangay 1, San Jose, Antique
* all municipalities in Guimaras
* Barangay Tondog, Tangalan, Aklan
* all government offices in Negros Occidental
* Barangay Batasan Hills, Quezon City
* Municipality of Josefina, Zamboanga del Sur
* Oroquieta City, Misamis Occidental
* El Salvador City, Misamis Oriental
* Iligan City, Lanao del Norte
* Municipality of Norala, South Cotabato
* Municipality of Banga, South Cotabato
* Municipality of Surallah, South Cotabato
* Municipality of Tantangan, South Cotabato
* Municipality of Tupi, South Cotabato
* Municipality of Polomolok, South Cotabato
* Municipality of Lebak, Sultan Kudarat
* Municipality of Columbio, Sultan Kudarat
* General Santos City
* Buhangin, Davao City
“We invite everyone to join ‘Alas-Kwatro Kontra Mosquito’ and eliminate mosquito breeding grounds. Let us work together to prevent dengue through the 4 o’clock habit of overturning, draining, drying, and covering water containers,” the DOH stated in an advisory.
Urgent Call for Action in Iloilo Province
Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) chief cer Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon has urged all 1,721 barangays in the province to cooperate in the cleanup drive.
“We invite all government offices, schools, and communities to take part in this nationwide ‘Search and Destroy Mosquito Breeding Sites Kick-Off’ event to curb the rising dengue cases in Iloilo,” Quiñon said.
She emphasized that this cleanup should be conducted every Monday at 4 p.m. to ensure mosquito breeding sites are eliminated regularly.
“If there are no mosquitoes, there will be no dengue. Let us unite in this fight,” she added.
Dengue Cases Surge in Iloilo
From January 1 to February 15 this year, Iloilo Province recorded 592 dengue cases with five deaths — a 77% increase from the same period in 2024, which reported only 335 cases and one death, according to IPHO data.
The province has already surpassed both the alert and epidemic thresholds for dengue, signaling the need for urgent intervention.
Alert threshold refers to the level of disease occurrence that serves as an early warning for potential outbreaks.
Epidemic threshold, on the other hand, refers to the level of disease occurrence that necessitates immediate response.
“The data confirms our concerns that dengue cases will continue to rise this year. Surpassing both the alert and epidemic thresholds means we are experiencing significantly higher numbers than last year,” Quiñon warned.
Hotspots
The municipalities with the highest number of cases so far are:
* Leon – 33 cases
* Oton – 32 cases (one death)
* San Joaquin – 32 cases
* Dumangas – 31 cases
* Cabatuan – 28 cases
* Lambunao – 24 cases
* San Dionisio – 23 cases
* Banate – 20 cases
* Janiuay – 19 cases
* Tigbauan – 19 cases (one death)
Thirty-three other areas have also reported dengue cases, including Barotac Viejo (18), Estancia (17), Calinog (16), Sara (16), Ajuy (15), Passi City (15), Batad (14), Carles (14 cases with one death), Guimbal (14), Maasin (14), Pototan (13 cases with two deaths), Santa Barbara (13), Barotac Nuevo (12), Pavia (12), San Miguel (12), Concepcion (11), Miag-ao (11), Badiangan (10), Alimodian (nine), Leganes (nine), San Rafael (eight), Balasan (seven), Lemery (seven), Mina (seven), Tubungan (five), Anilao (four), New Lucena (four), San Enrique (four), Zarraga (four), Dueñas (two), Igbaras (two), and Bingawan (one).
Barotac Viejo (18), Estancia (17), Calinog (16), Sara (16), Ajuy (15), Passi City (15), and Batad (14), among others.
Dengue Death Toll Reaches 5
As of mid-February, five dengue-related deaths have been recorded in Iloilo. The latest fatality was a two-year-old girl from Tigbauan. Other victims include:
* 67-year-old woman from Pototan (died on January 5)
* six-year-old boy from Pototan (died on January 15)
* 71-year-old man from Carles (died on January 22)
* 11-month-old boy from Oton (died on January 29)/PN
