The Department of Health (DOH) – Ilocos Region awarded a total of 63 barangays as winners of the ‘DOH Defeat Dengue Drive Contest: Search for the Most Prepared Barangay’ held in the entire month of June in the province of Ilocos Sur with every barangay in every municipality automatically entered as a participant.
The regional office spearheaded the contest through its Health Promotion Unit in partnership with the Provincial Health Office of Ilocos Sur and conducted it simultaneously in all 34 municipalities of the province.
According to Regional Director Paula Paz M. Sydiongco the contest was conducted in preparation for the rainy season and also to remind communities of the enhance 4S strategy against dengue which stands for – search and destroy breeding sites; seek early consultation; self-protection; and saying ‘yes’ to fogging only in hotspot areas where an increase in cases is registered for two consecutive weeks.
“This activity is to encourage residents to conduct regular clean-up drive in their own barangays. Kailangan dito ang whole-of-community approach in conducting the 4’oclok habit upang maging effective ang pagpuksa sa mga breeding places ng lamok sa kapaligiran at maging sa loob at labas ng bahay. This isalsopart of the celebration of the ‘Dengue Prevention and Awareness which is held every month of June,”
“Everyone’s participation including local government officials, in dengue prevention and control is the only cost-effective and sustainable way of preventing the spread or outbreak of dengue in the community and it must be implemented through a coordinated and integrated effort,” she stated during the awarding ceremony held at Farmer’s Hall, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur on June 20, 2023.
Among the winners were barangays Alilem Daya of Alile, Guardia of Banayoyo, Brgy. II of Bantay, Macaoayan of Burgos, Carusipan of Cabugao, Puro of Caoayan, Palacapac of Candon City, Calongbuyan of Galimuyod, Bussot of Gregorio Del Pilar, Taleb of Nagbukel, Marozo of Narvacan, Villa Quirino of San Esteban, Dardarat of San Juan, Calungboyan of Santa, Cabaroan of Santa Catalina, Sabuanan of Santa Lucia, Sumagui of Santa Maria, Caburao of Santiago, Poblacion of Sigay, Dadalaquiten Sur of Sinait, Balbalayang of Sugpon, Suyo Proper of Suyo and Borono of Tagudin
The Defeat Dengue Drive ng Barangay campaign were conducted in partnership with the local government units of Ilocos Sur who also served as judges who evaluated and performed surprise inspections in each barangay for two weeks.
LGUs also submitted a 3-minute audio-visual presentation (AVP) of their cleanup activities and an original poster design of their barangay for Dengue Awareness Month uploaded on their official Facebook pages.
The regional office awarded cash prizes amounting to ₱379,000.00 to 23 municipalities with the top 3 performing barangays who were declared as the 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize winner. Special prizes were also given to LGUs with the best AVPs and best posters.
Sydiongco extended her congratulations to all the winners and encouraged LGUs and the communities to sustain the “4 o’clock habit” and maintain the cleanliness of the surroundings at all times.
According to the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU), a total of 881 dengue cases were recorded from January 1 to June 10, 2023, which is 4.3% lower in the same period last year with 921 cases. There were 2 deaths recorded, one in Pangasinan and one in La Union.
Age of cases ranged from less than 1 year old to 88 years old and the most affected age group was 5-9 years.
“We extend our gratitude to the province of Ilocos Sur for their support of this endeavor and their continuing commitment to uplifting the health and welfare of their Kailians! Let us be one in eliminating dengue in Ilocos Region,” she concluded.
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