The City Health Office of Davao City has urged barangay officials to activate the Anti-Dengue Task Force following the rising dengue cases in the city.

From January to April 18, 2024, eight people of the around 1,140 dengue cases recorded in the city have died. Most of the fatalities came from Barangays Bunawan and Talomo Proper.

Data from the CHO showed that in 2023, 52 of the 6,269 people who have contracted dengue died. The number was higher than the 1,481 cases and 21 deaths logged in 2022.

CHO said only 32 of the 182 barangays in the city have activated the task force.

Among the roles of the task force is to address the increasing dengue cases.

“Ang role sa task force dako kaayo og (tabang) kay sila ang…unang-una maghuna huna sila unsaon nila pagpababa sa mga kaso sa dengue sa mismong barangay. Sa CHO nagaconduct mi og surveillance and intervention, so sila na ana kung naa man galing kaso sa barangay maaksyunan dayon,”CHO Tropical Division Head, Melodina Babante, said.

CHO has started coordinating with other concerned agencies to strengthen and institutionalize the ordinance on Davao City Mosquito-Borne Disease Protection and Control Program.

Under the ordinance, residents and business owners will be penalized if they found to be neglecting the measures to combat dengue.

“Ongoing ang process sa pakighinabi namo sa mga agencies’ legal office. Sayang ang ordinansa kung dili ma totally implement mawala ang essence ana nga ordinance,” Babante added.