MMDA to Metro mayors: Intensify anti-dengue drive

MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Tuesday called on local chief executives of the National Capital Region to intensify their anti-dengue drive amid the increasing reported cases in the metropolis and nearby provinces.

“I am asking all LGU (local government unit) officials to conduct massive clean-up operations, if necessary, particularly in densely-populated areas, to prevent spate of dengue incidents in Metro Manila,” MMDA Chair Francis Tolentino said.

Tolentino made the call following the recent pronouncement of the Department of Health (DOH) that there is a 16.5-percent increase in dengue cases this year, totaling to 78,808 persons nationwide afflicted from January 1 to September 5, with 233 deaths. 

Out of this figure, 8,099 were recorded in Metro Manila alone, while the Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) region posted the highest number of cases with 11,894, which even prompted the provincial government of Cavite to declare a state of calamity.

Tolentino said that the agency is more than willing to provide help to LGUs.  

“We can conduct misting operations using the latest chemical available, which according to experts, can kill even adult dengue-carrying mosquitoes and to eliminate possible breeding sites of mosquitoes," he said.

Tolentino also requested the DOH to aid in raising the level of public awareness on dengue and help fight the disease.

In recent years, anti-dengue clean-up operations were included in MMDA’s Lingap sa Barangay program, with public health as one of its mandates.