Amid the increasing cases of dengue in the province of Iloilo, the Provincial Health Office (PHO) is urging Ilonggos to adopt the daily habit of Taob, Taktak, Tuyo, Takip (4T).
This routine, according to PHO, is simple yet effective in eliminating mosquito breeding grounds right at home.
PHO head Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon said community participation, especially during the rainy season when dengue transmission peaks, is important.
Recently, the provincial government, through PHO and in partnership with USWAG Ilonggo Partylist, launched an intensified rekorida awareness campaign.
Themed: Alas Kwatro Kontra Mosquito: Mag 4T Tayo Araw-Araw, the campaign underscores the significance of practicing the 4Ts — Taob (turn over containers), Taktak (empty water-holding items), Tuyo (dry them), and Takip (cover water storage) — especially during the critical 4 p.m. biting time of the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes.
This was part of the observance of Dengue Awareness Month and the recent ASEAN Dengue Day. The initiative brings vital health messages directly to communities via roving vehicles equipped with loudspeakers.
A specially composed jingle reinforcing dengue prevention practices will also be played throughout the campaign to help make the messages engaging and easy to remember.
“Our strongest weapon remains the first S: Search and Destroy. By removing stagnant water and potential mosquito habitats in our surroundings,” said Colmenares-Quiñon.
From January 1 to June 21 this year, PHO recorded 2,319 dengue cases with 10 deaths — a 64 percent increase from 2024’s 1,413 cases with five deaths.
The towns with the highest number of cases were San Joaquin (168), Oton (140 with 1 death), Dumangas (118), Leon (118), Cabatuan (109) and Pototan (105 with 2 deaths).IMT
