Dengue-free school initiative launched
BACOLOD CITY – Mayor Evelio Leonardia and Department of Health regional director Dr. Ariel Valencia led the launching of the “Dengue-Free School Initiative” at the Crispino V. Ramos Elementary School in Brgy. Taculing.
The launching was made official through the signing of a memorandum of agreement and the pledge of commitment for prevention and control of dengue.
Leonardia said that this project aims to eradicate and prevent the spread of dengue in all public and private schools. The mayor lauded the efforts of the people who initiated the project saying that students should always be protected from disease-carrying insects by regularly cleaning the school surroundings.
Dr. Valencia, on the other hand, said that students spend most of their time at school and they are exposed to mosquitoes. He asked for support for the screening project and to follow the four S against dengue: Search and destroy; Seek early consultation; Self-protection; and Say no to indiscriminate fogging, to minimize the dengue cases.
The dengue-free program is a program of the city government in partnership with the Department of Health, Department of Education, and Rotary Club-Bacolod East.
Leonardia said that this is the first and only school with anti-dengue campaign that is supported by both local government and private sector. This is a pilot project and a model in Bacolod that should be duplicated in other schools.
Undersecretary Anthony Golez said that two years ago and in year 2000, Brgy. Taculing had the highest dengue cases in the city. The joint effort of everybody in implementing this project will protect the children from dengue.
