Legazpi: The Albay Provincial Health Office (APHO) is broadening its dengue prevention and control initiatives through a health caravan aimed at empowering barangay officials to protect their communities. Efelia Bitas, Nurse I of the APHO, highlighted the role of barangay captains in dengue prevention during a recent interview.
According to Philippines News Agency, the current data on dengue cases comes from three hospitals: Bicol Regional Hospital and Medical Center (BRHMC), Ziga Memorial District Hospital, and Josefina Belmonte Duran Albay Provincial Hospital. The caravan has already visited several areas, including Tabaco, Bacacay, Malilipot, Ligao, Daraga, and Legazpi, with Manito being the next destination. In Manito, the APHO is collaborating with the Albay Provincial Agriculture Office (APAO) to distribute citronella plants, known for their mosquito-repellent properties.
Bitas noted that the APHO has been coordinating with local health personnel to prepare for an increase in dengue cases. Albay has recorded 366 cases in 2026, closely matching the 369 cases recorded in 2025. The orientation sessions for dengue prevention began in early July, involving dengue coordinators and the Sanidad from Albay's municipalities and cities.
The APHO is promoting the Department of Health's 4S strategy, which includes searching and destroying mosquito breeding sites, seeking early consultation, securing self-protection, and supporting fogging or spraying when necessary. Additionally, the APHO emphasizes the 4T's approach - Taob, Taktak, Tuyo, and Takip - as a practical household measure to prevent mosquito breeding.
Bitas stressed the importance of complementing fogging and misting with the regular destruction of breeding sites, as fogging and misting only eliminate adult mosquitoes and not their eggs. In schools, the APHO advocates for the regular observance of the 4 o'clock habit, focusing on identifying and destroying mosquito breeding sites. Mosquito nets have been provided to San Pedro Elementary School in Bacacay as part of school-based interventions.
The APHO calls on residents to inspect their homes, schools, and communities regularly for potential mosquito breeding sites, such as old tires, bottles, containers, and plant pots.
