“Stop dengue now!” is the government’s battle cry in the advocacy to combat the dreadful dengue disease. In the Bicol Region the same cry was heard during the launching of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Ovicidal/Larvicidal (OL) mosquito trap at Legazpi City, Albay last 7 July 2011.
The program commenced with a one-hour motorcade around Legazpi City. “This is part of our strategies of introducing our project to the public,” said DOST-V Regional Director Tomas Briñas who strongly believes that community participation is the key ingredient of success in a program like dengue prevention and control. “The community is our main partner here. We need their participation to ensure the success of this project,” said Director Briñas.
Aside from the community, Director Briñas also emphasized the importance of partnerships with other agencies. “We involve other agencies which we believe can contribute in one way or another to the success of the project. The Department of Health – Center for Health and Development in Bicol (DOH-CHD), for instance, have identified the areas where the OL trap system will be deployed. The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), on the other hand, created a memorandum order to all Local Government Units (LGUs) in the region, obliging them to be part of the advocacy.”
Legazpi City Mayor Geraldine Carmen Rosal is optimistic of the government’s effort against dengue. In her welcome message, Mayor Rosal expressed her full support in addressing the dengue problem in Legazpi. “Through this partnership, we can surely bring down the number of children being infected with dengue and prevent its spread in the community.”
The highlight of the event was the signing of Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) and the pledge of commitment among government agencies to forge strong partnerships and undertake collaborative efforts, pool resources and expertise towards peaceful, safe, healthy and empowered communities – leading to improved quality of life among Bicolanos.
An orientation and training session for OL mosquito trap system followed the signing ceremony. This was attended by the city health officers, barangay health workers, barangay officials, and beneficiaries from the communities.
The selected communities for OL trap distribution were the cities and municipalities of Camalig, Daraga, Guinobatan, Legazpi and Polangui for Albay; Daet, Labo and Sta. Elena for Camarines Norte; Camaligan, Canaman, Libmanan, Naga and Pamplona for Camarines Sur; City of Virac for Catanduanes; Masbate City for Masbate; and the cities and municipalities of Bulan, Castilla, Donsol, Magallanes, and Sorsogon for the province of Sorsogon. Edmon B. Agron, PCHRD
