By Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, June 5 (PIA) -- The Department of Health (DOH) in Caraga Region is continuously monitoring dengue cases in the region as rainy season is fast approaching.

According to Sunshine Alipayo, DOH Center for Health Development (CHD)-Caraga regional information officer, to date, dengue cases in the region have decreased by 19 percent compared to the same period last year.

Alipayo said since January 1 to June 2 this year, the health department here recorded 372 dengue cases in the region, as compared to 461 cases last year.

The official said this may well be because of the intensified monitoring of DOH-Caraga, as well as with the cooperation of other government agencies and even non-government organizations.

Alipayo said of the total number of cases this year, Surigao City was recorded to have the highest number having 94 dengue cases. This is followed by Surigao del Norte with 78 cases, Agusan del Sur – 51, Butuan City – 46, Surigao del Sur – 38, Agusan del Norte – 17, Bislig City – 11, Tandag City – 11, Bayugan City – nine, Province of Dinagat Islands – nine, and Cabadbaran City – eight cases.

Of the number of cases, Alipayo said 43 percent are children aged 1-10 years old and 60 percent of them, males.

Alipayo further said there is also a need to strengthen the “Aksyon Barangay Kontra Dengue” (ABKD) program of the national government. She added if people in all barangays will do their share by implementing programs and actions against dengue, “time will come there will be no more cases of dengue that will be recorded.”

As per memorandum circular 2012-16 of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) dated January 30, 2012, every city mayor or municipal mayor is enjoined to cause the enactment of an ordinance embodying measures on dengue prevention, and allocate funds to the dengue prevention and control subject to national and local rules and regulations.

ABKD is an inter-agency cooperation strategy which is the government’s response to intensify the fight against dengue outbreak in order to reduce dengue cases and control dengue transmission.

One of the key initiatives is the installation of the Ovicidal/Larvicidal Trap System (OL-Trap) for Aedes Mosquito. It is a device consisting of a tumbler, strips of plywood, and pellets. This OL trap can detect Aedes mosquito population and acts as an early warning signal to pre-empt any impending dengue outbreaks.

In support to the ABKD program, batch 1970 of Agusan National High School (ANHS) here has implemented a drive to combat dengue.

Carlito Kho, class president and Mindanao Regional Operations Manager of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) said this is their share in helping the national government in its drive to fight dengue.

He added that majority of their batchmates participated in distributing anti-dengue spray chemicals to two of the biggest public schools here: ANHS and the Butuan Central Elementary School (BCES) on Saturday, as part of the school’s preparation during Monday’s opening of classes.

Dubbed “Brigada 70 Kontra Dengue,” the program is part of the community extension services of Class 1970 of the premier public high school here in the region. (RER-PIA 13 Caraga)