It's cleanup day today in Mandaue

CEBU, Philippines – As part of the celebration of "Children's Month," Mandaue City and the City Council for the Protection of Children will carry out today a city-wide cleanup drive intended to combat the spread of the dengue disease.

Violeta Cavada, OIC, City Social Welfare and Services said all barangay captains as well as candidates in the barangay elections have pledged to support the cleanup drive.

She said since most dengue victims are children, it is but proper to cleanup the surroundings.

Cavada said the Mandaue City Council for the Protection of Children headed by Madame Sarah Cortes, the wife of Mayor Jonas Cortes, has been going to barangays since last year educating the public about dengue prevention, child abuse prevention, proper garbage segregation, and anti-rabies program.

Records of the Department of Health show that from number five last year, Mandaue City is now number eight in the list of areas in Central Visayas with the most number of dengue cases.

"We are no taking chances. We should continue to lower the trend," Cavada said.

Several candidates vying for "punong barangay" have also signified support to the drive.

Ernie Manatad, former executive secretary of Mayor Jonas Cortes who is running in Subangdaku, said the candidates for the elections will temporarily suspend campaigning to join the cleanup drive.

Other candidates such as Leticia Cabahug Boholst of barangay Looc and Nelson Rubio of barangay Umapad also expressed the same.

Cavada said city hall employees will be deployed to the Reclamation Area since this does not belong to any barangay.

She said the cleanup drive will concentrate on clogged canals and other breeding areas of dengue-carrying mosquitoes. (FREEMAN)