ILOILO – While under an enhanced community quarantine, Ilonggos should continue the “Limpyo Iloilo” (Clean Iloilo) program in their homes, according to the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO).
Keeping the homes clean prevent illnesses such as dengue from spreading, stressed Atty. Arturo Cangrejo, PENRO officer-in-charge.
“The province experienced rain in the past few days and we are preparing against dengue, which can spread through mosquitoes. It is important to always make our surroundings clean so that the vectors could not thrive,” he said.
Dengue mosquitoes – the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus – are day-biting mosquitoes and live and breed in clear, stagnant water.
In February, the provincial government launched the “Limpyo Iloilo” 2020, or the simultaneous province-wide cleanup to be held every third Saturday of the month.
The program was conceptualized after a dengue outbreak was declared in the province on July 5 last year.
However, because of the enhanced community quarantine, Cangrejo said, PENRO could not gather volunteers and Ilonggos to clean public places, roads, and coastal areas.
“We will find ways for the program to continue even indoors,” he said.
Cangrejo noted that each household is urged to follow the 4S strategy in fighting dengue:
* “search and destroy” the breeding places of mosquitoes
* “self-protection” from mosquito bites
* “seek early consultation” when signs and symptoms of dengue occur
* “say yes to fogging” as a last resort when there is a looming outbreak
One of the goals of “Limpyo Iloilo” is to inculcate among Ilonggos the 4 p.m. cleaning habit.
This goal can still be achieved in homes, Cangrejo said.
“Four p.m. is the best time to take a break from gadgets. Use this quarantine period for cleaning,” he said, adding that the province plans to recognize outstanding families who uphold cleanliness during the ECQ.
“We are planning to surprise households and reward them for what they do to maintain their homes clean,” he said. (PNA)
