All is set for the citywide clean-up drive tomorrow, September 2, 2010.

The city government, through City Health Office (CHO), has initiated this activity with the aim to fight the continuing increase of dengue fever cases in the city which has already reached the outbreak level.

Because of the 1,755 dengue cases registered from January to August 20 this year, the city government, through an Executive Order issued by Mayor Celso Lobregat, declared a dengue outbreak in the city.

The declaration was an offshoot of the recorded cases this month (August 1 to 20) where 314 people, mostly children, were hospitalized due to this deadly disease.

According to City Health Officer Rodel Agbulos, the number cases this month alone are almost five times higher than what was registered in 2009 for the same period and has even surpassed the outbreak level of 277 cases.

To dramatize the city’s concern to minimize, if not to eliminate, dengue cases, a citywide clean-up drive will be carried out on September 2, 2010, which will start with a noise barrage dubbed as “Alarma Contra Dengue” around the city.

In a meeting yesterday with CHO personnel, Agbulos emphasized the need to effectively carry out the search and destroy of dengue mosquito, simultaneous clean-up, continuous advocacy and fumigation in affected barangays.

In coordination with the different government offices, NGOs, fraternities, different schools, business establishments, Task Force Zamboanga, PNP and other line agencies, a noise barrage and motorcade will start at the Bureau of Fire and Protection at 7:00 a.m. on September 2 and will end in Barangay Ayala for the west coast group and from CHO to Barangay Manicahan for the east coast participants.

A communication was sent to the Department of Education, through the City School Division Supt. Dolores Alcantara, for sharing their part in the activity by declaring Sept. 2 as clean-up day in all public schools.

Agbulos said the activity has been planned to make people aware of the outbreak.

From January to date, dengue has claimed the lives of 20 individuals.

Barangays that have high cases of dengue are Culianan, Tetuan, Tumaga, Sta. Maria, San Roque, San Jose Cawa-Cawa, San Jose Gusu, Baliwasan, Guiwan, Putik, Pasonanca, Sta. Catalina, Talon-Talon, Campo Islam, Canelar, Sta. Barbara, Malagutay, Divisoria, Calarian and Sto. Nino.