ILOILO – Confronted with a sharp 79 percent surge in dengue infections this year, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Iloilo is calling on all 43 local government units (LGUs) in the province to reactivate their Aksyon Barangay Kontra Dengue (ABKD) taskforces and take action to contain the disease’s spread.
A resolution passed by the SP requested LGUs to mobilize their barangays in response to what it described as “an alarming increase” in dengue cases.
From January to March 15, Iloilo recorded 1,033 dengue cases and seven deaths — up from 576 cases and two deaths during the same period last year.
Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection transmitted primarily by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which breeds in stagnant water commonly found in containers, gutters, and discarded tires.
The disease causes flu-like symptoms including high fever, severe headache, joint and muscle pain, skin rashes, and, in severe cases, bleeding and organ damage that can lead to death.
“The ABKD of the Department of Interior and Local Government is an inter-agency cooperation strategy to intensify the fight against dengue outbreaks in order to reduce cases and control transmission,” the SP stated.
Central to this strategy is the engagement of barangay officials to organize clean-up drives, mobilize health workers and tanods, and promote the 4S approach: search and destroy mosquito breeding places, seek early consultation, seek early treatment, and support fogging and spraying operations.
The move received strong backing from Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) chief Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon, who emphasized the urgency of community-led action.
“With the alarming increase in dengue cases, your active participation is crucial in strengthening dengue prevention and control measures at the barangay level,” she said.
Quiñon specifically urged heightened interventions in the towns with the highest number of cases: San Joaquin (73), Oton (67 with one death), Leon (57), Cabatuan (47), Dumangas (47), San Dionisio (44), Lambunao (36), Banate (36), Janiuay (35), and Ajuy (33).
Other municipalities and cities also reported double-digit dengue cases, with several deaths recorded are: Sara (28), Estancia (26), Pototan (26 with two deaths), Concepcion (26), Barotac Viejo (26), Maasin (26), Pavia (26), Tigbauan (25 with one death), Calinog (24), Carles (23 with two deaths), Passi City (22), Guimbal (21), Barotac Nuevo (21), Miag-ao (20), Batad (29), Santa Barbara (19), San Miguel (18), Dingle (17), Badiangan (16), Balasan (14 with one death), San Rafael (13), Leganes (12), Tubungan (11), Anilao (11), Alimodian (10), Lemery (10), Mina (nine), Zarraga (nine), Igbaras (eight), Dueñas (seven), New Lucena (six), San Enrique (six), and Bingawan (three).
Quiñon stressed that even low-case areas must not be complacent, urging continuous surveillance and cleanup efforts across all barangays.
“We must act now. Clean up, search and destroy mosquito breeding sites, and spread awareness,” Quiñon appealed.
The SP emphasized that activating ABKD and implementing relevant national and local health measures could significantly aid the province in halting the spread of the deadly disease./PN
