Dengue-free villages in San Fernando received recognition

June 11, 2017 Provincial

SAN FERNANDO CITY – With no cases of dengue in 2016, 13 villages of this city were recognized on June 7 as dengue-free during the kick-off of the Dengue Awareness Month celebration.
This year’s celebration with the theme “Eskwelahan, Palengke, Simbahan at Buong Komunidad, Sama-sama nating puksain ang Dengue” aims to prevent and educate the residents in the spread of dengue disease in their villages which usually occurs during the rainy season.
The villages declared as dengue-free are Cabarsican, Sacyud, Narra Este, Narra Oeste, Abut, Birunget, Bangbangolan, Dalumpinas Este, Pao Sur, Barangay I and IV, Masicong, and Apaleng.
In his message, Cabarsican village captain Henry Nullar said, “We are dengue-free because we conduct twice a month Operation Taktak (a thorough cleaning of possible breeding areas of mosquitos) in all the households, at same time, we always remind the residents to continuously clean their environment even if is not rainy season.”
He added, “Our hands-on village council and health and wellness volunteers and with the support of the residents, the zero-dengue in our village was achieved for two-consecutive years.”
Cabarsican is a consistent dengue-free village. Last year, it was the only awardee on the same celebration for having no case of dengue in 2015.
“The health and wellness of our people is essential to the growth and development of La Union, so we must all work to ensure that the citizens of our province are provided the best possible health care at all times,” said Administrative Officer Israel Rudio of the Provincial Information Office who spoke on behalf of Governor Emmanuel Francisco Ortega III.
“This month is dedicated to secure our homes from the dangerous dengue disease so, we all need to be strong, healthy and free from sickness to be able to work hard and study well and care for our families,” Rudio added.
Meanwhile, several activities are also slated for the whole month celebration such as clean-up drives, mosquito breeding areas search and destroy operations, larvae surveys, distribution and dissemination of information, education and communication campaign materials, declogging of canals and palit-gulong program of which unused old tires can be exchanged for packed kilos of rice.
The activity is initiated by the city government of San Fernando in partnership with the Provincial Government of La Union and the Department of Health (DOH).
Awardees received certificates of recognition which were awarded at the Catbangen Covered Court during the program. ANNE HAZEL FAJARDO-FLORES, PIA-1 / ABN