This barangay in Mandaluyong City offers P1 reward for every mosquito, larva caught
It's dengue season, and this barangay in Mandaluyong City has quite a funny solution.
Barangay Addition Hills in Mandaluyong City has launched a new initiative to combat the spread of mosquitoes and the diseases they carry: A 1-peso reward for every mosquito and larva caught.
"Dahil sa pagtaas ng kaso ng dengue sa ating Barangay naglunsad tayo ng alternatibong pamamaraan maliban sa regular na paglilinis sa ating kapaligiran, sabado linis day at oplan linis kanal ng team sisid kanal," it wrote.
Residents are invited to bring as many mosquitos—dead or alive—or their larvae starting Wednesday, Feb. 19, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at its new barangay hall office.
If the mosquito is alive, it will be put in the "mosquito death chamber."
"D'yan sila papakawalan hanggang tumama sila sa ultra-violet light," Barangay captain Carlito Cernal said in an interview with 24 Oras.
Minors, however, are not allowed to participate in the said program.
Social media users react
However, when Barangay Addition Hills announced its initiative, many social media users found the concept both funny and puzzling.
"Baka magfarm lang po ang ng lamok yung iba lalo lang po dadami," one user said.
"I-ready ang mga nets, dito tayo yayaman," another user commented.
"Mag-aalaga na lang ako ng kiti-kiti paparamihin ko sila para malaki income ko. Hindi na ako maglilinis ng paligid namin," a user also said.
Others offer some other ways to combat dengue-carrying mosquitoes.
"Baka pwede pong yung ipapangreward ay irent na lang po ng pest control smoke machine sa lahat po ng kabahayan sa buong Addition Hills. Hindi lang po lamok mawawala pati po mga daga at ipis."
"Madali lang magparami ng lamok, [mag-iwan] ka lang ng tubigsa kisame at mangingitlog na sila, pera na. Ang gawin mag-talaga ng mga mag-lilinis sa bawat lugar dahil may mga samahan naman," one more said.
'Walang masamang intensyon sa nasabing programa'
Meanwhile, Cernal posted a lengthy statement clarifying that the program aims to eradicate dengue cases and has no intention of further breeding mosquitoes in the area.
"Walang masamang intensyon sa nasabing programa ang layunin ay makatulong sa iba pang kasalukuyang programa ng National at Pamahalaang Lungsod ng Mandaluyong ito ay isang alternatibong programa sa paglaban sa lumalang problema sa dengue," he said, adding quantitative datas from Department of Health.
"HINDI PO ITO BIRO DAHIL NAKAMAMATAY," he emphasized.
Cernal also underscored that the Addition Hills is one of the populated areas in Mandaluyong, making it visible for possible dengue cases.
"Ang Barangay Addition Hills Mandaluyong City na may mataong lugar ang siyang nangunguna na may mataas na kaso ng Dengue na [mayroon] 44 pasyente at may mga namatay na kaawa-awang mga batang estudyante dulot ng nakakamatay na dengue. Hinagpis at hinaing ang aking natatangap na mensahe ng bawat pamilyang tinamaan ng dengue lalo na ang may mga namatayan na mahal nila sa buhay," he said.
Cernal added that as barangay captain, it is his duty to find solutions to prevent dengue for his community.
The barangay captain also noted that fogging is "not recommendable" as it triggers health risks. He also highlighted the importance of regular cleaning to combat dengue.
Despite the backlash, Cernal treated various comments about the program as "constructive criticism." He also urged its residents to provide other options or projects to help eradicate dengue-carrying mosquitoes.
"Hinihikayat ko ang bawat isa na mag-ambag ng alternatibong programa laban sa dengue na ayon sa inyong kaisipan at kaalaman at maaari itong iadopt ng barangay," he wrote. "Uulitin ko walang masamang intension sa programang ito ay karagdagang alternatibo sa pagsugpo laban sa dengue! Upang ang bawat pamilya, anak mo, kapamilya mo ay ligtas sa nakakamatay na sakit na ito!"
Dengue outbreak in Quezon City
Over the weekend, the Quezon City Government, through the City Health Department (QCHD), declared a dengue outbreak as cases continue to surge. According to the City Epidemiology and Surveillance Division (CESD) of QCHD, 1,769 dengue cases were recorded from Jan. 1 to Feb. 14, making it nearly 200 percent higher than last year.
Meanwhile, the Department of Health (DOH) also noticed an upward trend in dengue cases in the country, with 28,234 cases or a 40% increase from the previous year as of Feb. 1.
According to the health agency, as the country experiences increased rainfall and thunderstorms due to the Shear Line, Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), and Easterlies, the risk of weather-induced diseases, including dengue, also increases.
Nonetheless, the Case Fatality Rate (CFR) decreased to 0.35% as of Feb. 1, compared to last year’s higher CFR of 0.42% in the same period.
