Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo led contingents from the Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and DILG-National Capital Region (DILG-NCR) and Central Office in an anti-dengue clean-up activity in Barangay Culiat in Quezon City on Friday.
Health Secretary Enrique Ona and Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista joined Secretary Robredo.
The activity was the second installment of dengue clean-up day, which was also carried out in local government units all over the country following a directive from Robredo urging local chief executives to implement clean-up activities in their respective localities.
Records from the Department of Health show that a total of 90,771 dengue cases have been reported since January this year even as it noted that dengue incidence has started decreasing from an average of 7,285 cases per week in August to only 2,740 cases per week this month.
In his directive, the Robredo called on all LGUs to conduct search and destroy operations of all potential breeding places of dengue-carrying mosquitoes.
“LGUs should take the lead in enforcing environmental sanitation such as dredging of clogged canals, esteros and other waterways, pruning thick bushes or tree branches, and removal or draining of receptacles containing stagnant water,” he said.
He said local officials should also start massive information drives to prevent spread of the mosquito-borne disease.
Robredo said the clean-up is a kickoff activity of the month-long celebration of the 20th Year of the Local Government Code of 1991 with the theme “BIYAHENG PINOY: Tapat na Palakad, Bayang Maunlad.”
The Local Government Code, also known as the Local Autonomy Act, revolutionized local governance in the country by giving greater power and freedom to local governments.###
