Dengue afflicts 9,555 persons in Pangasinan, nearby provinces

By Jun Velasco

DAGUPAN CITY – There were 9,555 cases of dengue in Pangasinan and nearby provinces January to date -- up by 30 percent compared to the same period last year, Health officials bared. During the first half of this year, from Jan. 1 to April 19, there were also 111 recorded deaths due to dengue, mostly children.

This development prompted Rotary District Governor Jesus Nicdao and other officials to commit the organization in a memorandum of undertaking to check spread of dengue in Dagupan City, Pangasinan and nearby provinces.

The agreement was signed here last week wherein Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III cited the community spirit and involvement of civic organizations like the Rotary here, for helping the government fight dengue.

According to records of the Department of Health, there were a total of 43,350 cases of dengue in 2007.

The health secretary has prioritized the anti-dengue program of the department this year especially with the onset of the rainy season. Dengue is transmitted by mosquitoes that thrive in rain water trapped in containers and similar places.

Duque commended his fellow Rotarians, led by Nicdao and Rotary Club of Dagupan East president Dominador Rayos, for rallying the country’s foremost civic organization behind the anti- dengue campaign.

He also appealed to other Rotary districts and civic organizations such as the Lions, Kiwanis, and the Jaycees to support the campaign.

Duque, past president of the Rotary Club of Dagupan East, was the guest of honor and speaker of his home club during its induction of officers at the Star Plaza.

Past RCDE president Antonio Patungan who is in charge of the induction and signing rites preparations said the calls for the DoH and the Rotary District to jointly undertake an anti-dengue operation throughout the district with the government agency providing the necessary equipment and materials while the civic organization commits the participation of club entities within the district, including making available transport facilities and auxiliary manpower needed in the campaign.

Assistant governor Leon Palaganas of the Rotary Club of Dagupan and district secretary Edwin Aguirre said under the MOU, the Rotary group will prepare the schedules of operation in various areas and provinces under its geographical jurisdiction, particularly in barangays adversely affected by the mosquito-borne disease.

Rayos, incoming RCDE president and executive director for student affairs of the University of Pangasinan, said his term "will mainly address health issues, especially the care of children and malnutrition."

He said the emphasis on health is also part of the University of Pangasinan’s "Project Cesar" which extends to the community the university’s social outreach. It was launched by university president Catalino Rivera Jr.and chairman Cesar T. Duque.