THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has issued a strong directive to all local government units (LGUs) to intensify their dengue prevention and control measures, especially in the aftermath of recent typhoons and flooding that have left many communities vulnerable to mosquito-borne diseases.
According to the agency, this renewed push is in line with the marching orders of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. for government agencies and LGUs to strengthen community protection and control measures against dengue.
“Ngayong panahon ng baha at bagyo, mas lalong nagiging delikado ang ating mga komunidad sa dengue. Ang simpleng stagnant water, gulong, o container ay maaaring maging pugad ng lamok. Kaya’t mahalaga ang sama-samang aksyon ng barangay at komunidad upang mapanatiling ligtas ang ating mga pamilya,” the Department emphasized.
Through Memorandum Circular 2025-011, LGUs were instructed to roll out intensified community-wide interventions. These include clean-up drives focused on eliminating mosquito breeding sites, search-and-destroy operations to remove stagnant water and containers in households and public spaces, and regular declogging of canals and drainage systems to prevent water pooling and flooding.
The circular also urged local governments to integrate dengue prevention into their disaster response activities, given that flooding after typhoons creates conditions where mosquitoes thrive.
Communities were reminded that the fight against dengue cannot be left to government alone. “Ang laban kontra dengue ay hindi lamang responsibilidad ng pamahalaan, kundi ng bawat isa sa atin. Kapag naglinis ang barangay, maglinis din ang bawat tahanan. Kapag nagtulungan, mas ligtas ang lahat.”
To support these efforts, LGUs must allocate sufficient financial and logistical resources for vector control. This includes the procurement of larvicides and insecticides, and the mobilization of barangay health workers and volunteers to carry out outreach and information campaigns.
Families are encouraged to cooperate by keeping their surroundings clean and immediately seeking medical attention if dengue symptoms appear.
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