11 city public schools benefit from ‘Operation Anti-Dengue’
Eleven public schools in Iloilo City so far have availed of assistant from the “Operation Anti-Dengue” of the city government in partnership with the Chinese Filipino Business Club Inc.
Under the operation, organic larvicide is applied on stagnant water in these schools to destroy the habitat of dengue-carrying mosquitoes and delay their larvae growth.
The CFBCI, a socio-civic, non-profit organization whose members are composed of Chinese-Filipino businessmen, provided an initial 150 packs of the organic solution, personnel and equipment for the “Operation Anti-Dengue.”
Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog commended the CFBCI for actively responding to the city government’s campaign against dengue.
He gave certificates of appreciation to local chapter members composed of Oscar Chua, Emilio Cua-Locsin, Francis Sio, Elpidio Barcarlos and Charlie Ho.
“This is a perfect example of public-private partnership of which our city is truly known for,” Mabilog said.
Earlier, Mabilog also directed the City Environment and Natural Resources Office to create a composite team headed by Environmental Specialist I Jose Renan Escoto to undertake organic spraying of larvicide in coastal schools and villages to contain anti-dengue mosquitoes.
Initial report from the Division of Iloilo City Schools show that as of September 3, almost 90 pupils and students have been hospitalized due to dengue.
“We are giving emphasis to schools because children spend longer hours there, and because biting time of mosquitoes also happen during school hours,” Escoto said.
The dengue-carrying Aedes aegypti is known to bite its victims during daytime.
Larvicides used in the operation are effective only for 20 days, but Escoto said he hopes they can repeat the procedure and make it sustainable through the schools’ maintenance staff.*
