ILOILO City – Ilonggos heeded the call of Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. to maintain this province clean through “Limpyo GCQ” amid quarantine protocols imposed to curb the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
The governor reported on June 6 that 1,084 out of the 1,721 villages in this province have participated in the environmental cleanup campaign which began on May 30.
Iloilo was under the general community quarantine when Limpyo GCQ was launched.
“Of the 1,721 barangays, 63 percent have submitted their entry. This means that cleaning activities are continuous in our villages,” he said.
Defensor invited the villages to send short video clips of their respective residents cleaning their areas in the start of the project. Winners will receive incentives but the governor did not disclose what.
This province’s Limpyo GCQ aims to prevent diseases, such as dengue which comes with the onset of the rainy season.
Cleanliness can also help get rid of the current Covid-19, the governor said.
The famous “4S strategy” against dengue – stands for “search and destroy” the breeding places of mosquitoes, “secure self-protection”, “seek early consultation”, and “support fogging or spraying only in hotspot areas” – was adjusted by this province to comply with health protocols.
“We made it 5S and added the social distancing measures,” Defensor said.
Participants in the cleanup must wear face masks for protection, he added.
As of June 4, the province has recorded seven dengue cases. Four of them were from the fifth district while three were from the first district.
“We have already prepared in terms of medicines in the hospitals (and) in terms of space,” said Defensor.
The governor assured enough folding beds and personnel in the district hospitals in case of a rise in the incidence of dengue.
Last year, this province recorded 22,040 cases of dengue. Twenty-seven died from it.(With a report from PNA/PN)
