The Rural Health Unit (RHU) of Binalonan led by Dra. Framila Cuaresma Dela Cruz, RHU medical officer launched the “Dengue Out!” program in the municipality on August 22 with the campaign slogan “Kung Walang Lamok, Walang Dengue.”

The event held in Cabangaan of Barangay Poblacion which is the second of a series of awareness campaign aims to encourage communities to practice daily activities of the program to prevent the spread of the disease.

De la Cruz said that the program has started actually in the different barangays with the rural health midwives spearheading the campaign in their areas of assignment by giving lectures, AV presentations and clean-up activities in cooperation with the barangay council.

The medical officer mentioned that there are about 61 dengue cases in the municipality which is lower than the number recorded during the same period last year. An improvement which she revealed was, the town is not among the top ten with the number of dengue cases in the province compared to 2018 when Binalonan landed in the top ten category.

Poblacion Barangay Captain Juan De Los Santos welcomed all participants of the launching. He committed his full support to the program against dengue. He urged the barangay officials, community people, and the BHW, to help the DOH in the fight against dengue.

Meanwhile SK Federated President, Councilor Ronald Biado in his message in behalf of the municipal officials emphasized on the importance of cleanliness of our surroundings, especially in our homes.

Development Officer Cathrine Nalupa, Region I DOH representative, in-charge of Binalonan, Pozorrubio and San Manuel said that community participation is vital to prevent and control the spread of dengue. She emphasized the need for a sustainable process to encourage individuals to maintain efforts in keeping their environment free of dengue.

Rochelle Pilapil, registered nurse and sanitation officer in charge in the municipality lectured on what the anti-dengue program is all about.

“Although the program is primarily focused on the search and destroy of mosquito breeding sites, we will intensify our information dissemination on our 4S Strategy,” said Pilapil. “The “4S” stands for: Search and destroy breeding sites, Self-protection measures, Seek early consultation for fever, and Say yes to fogging when there is an impending outbreak.”

After the lecture and information dissemination, SB Chairman on Environment, Councilor Dr. Noel Apolinario Bautista led the participants around the sitio to start the clean-up drive.

The launching in Cabangaan was participated by the community people, the BHWs, barangay officials, RHU personnel, MLGO staff and some LGU employees.

On the basis that many regions in the country have reached the epidemic level, DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III declared a national dengue epidemic on Aug. 5 and ordered the simultaneous conduct of the 4 o’clock habit and implementation of the 4-s strategy.