San Juan mobilizes cleanup drive to combat dengue

MANILA, Philippines — In response to the increasing number of dengue cases in Metro Manila, San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora led a citywide cleanup drive on Saturday.
The initiative aims to eliminate potential mosquito breeding grounds and protect residents from the disease.
“It is important to segregate and dispose waste properly. We have to make sure the waterways and drainage systems are not clogged. We all know that dengue mosquitoes breed in stagnant water,” Zamora said in Filipino during the launching of the cleanup drive in Barangay Balong Bato.
Adrian Lopez, Department of the Interior and Local Government city director, said the DILG supports that initiative and called on residents to keep their communities clean and safe.
Josias Syquimsiam Jr., Metro Manila Development Authority solid waste management office director, said the initiative is a testament to the mayor’s “unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability and community participation in keeping San Juan clean, green and resilient.”
Karen Fernandez, Department of Health (DOH) assistant regional director, noted that the National Capital Region (NCR) has recorded over 10,000 cases of dengue.
“The cases in NCR increased by 206 percent. We in the DOH believe that we could fight dengue,” Fernandez said as she urged residents to help the government fight the disease.
The cleanup drive was carried out in all 21 barangays in San Juan with the participation of city hall employees, barangay officials and volunteers.
Zamora also directed the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) to launch a year-long Gawad Kalinisan contest to encourage sustainable cleanup efforts.
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