Army holds anti-dengue cleanup
In partnership with the Department of Health-Center for Health Development 6, the 3rd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army initiated a clean-up drive as a kick-off ceremony for its anti-dengue campaign, which will run every weekend for six weeks.
First Lt. Mark Andrew Posadas, 3rd ID public information officer, said the clean-up drive started in Barrio Obrero in Lapuz district, Iloilo City because of the high incidence of dengue fever in the village.
Records show seven deaths have been reported in the area.
The activity was also participated by the Rotary Club of Iloilo City which provided cleaning materials to more than 500 Reserve Officers’ Training Corps and National Service Training Program students who joined the clean-up drive.
The students are from the Western Visayas College of Science and Technology, University of Iloilo, Central Philippine University, University of the Philippines-Visayas, and West Visayas State University-Pototan Campus.
“It is the first time that we did this event. We saw the need because of the upsurge of dengue cases in the area and we thought it would be a good activity for our ROTC and NSTP students,” Posadas said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Fabian Mabasa, DOH 6 regional dengue/malaria coordinator, also called on the people of Western Visayas to rally behind the government to stop the spread of dengue virus.
More than anything else, prevention is still better than cure, Mabasa said.
Meanwhile, Posadas said another clean-up drive is also scheduled in Brgy. Bolilao in Mandurriao district, Iloilo City.*JPR
