TIDYING UP. A resident of Iloilo province gets rid of water in a container, which can be a potential breeding place of dengue-carrying mosquitoes. The Iloilo Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office on Tuesday (May 5, 2020) urged Ilonggos to continue their cleanup activities at home as they observe enhanced community quarantine. (Photo courtesy of Nygiel Momblan)
ILOILO CITY – The Iloilo Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) on Tuesday encouraged Ilonggos to continue the “Limpyo Iloilo” (Clean Iloilo) program in their homes as they observe the enhanced community quarantine.
Lawyer Arturo Cangrejo, PENRO officer-in-charge, told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) that keeping the homes clean could prevent illnesses, such as dengue, from spreading.
“The province experienced rain in the past days and we are preparing against dengue, which can be spread through mosquitoes. It is important to always make our surroundings clean for the vectors not to thrive,” he said.
Last February, the province launched the “Limpyo Iloilo” 2020, or the simultaneous province-wide cleanup to be held every third Saturday of the month.
The program was conceptualized after a dengue outbreak was declared in the province on July 5 last year.
However, because of the ECQ, Cangrejo said they could not gather volunteers and Ilonggos to clean public places, roads, and coastal areas.
“We will find ways for the program to continue even indoors,” he said.
Cangrejo noted that each household is urged to follow the 4S strategy in fighting dengue –
“Search and destroy” the breeding places of mosquitoes, “secure Self-protection” from mosquito bites, “Seek early consultation” when signs and symptoms of dengue occur, and “Say yes to fogging” as a last resort when there is a looming outbreak.
One of the goals of “Limpyo Iloilo” is to inculcate among Ilonggos the 4 p.m. cleaning habit.
This goal can still be achieved in homes, Cangrejo said.
“Four p.m. is the best time to take a break from gadgets, like most of the people use this quarantine period and allot time for cleaning,” he said, adding that the province plans to recognize outstanding families who uphold cleanliness during the ECQ.
“We are planning to surprise households and reward them for what they do to maintain their homes clean,” he said. (PNA)
