Old Balara defends use of frogs vs dengue

MANILA, Philippines — Officials of a barangay in Quezon City yesterday defended their anti-dengue project, which involved the release of around 1,000 frogs in waterways to consume mosquitos.

Barangay Old Balara captain Allan Franza said they gathered the frogs from Baras, Rizal for free and released them in the barangay’s canals on Aug. 22.

He downplayed claims that the frogs were actually cane toads, an invasive, poisonous species that may harm dogs and people.

“From the very beginning, wala na ditong ecosystem kaya siguro lumaganap ang lamok at dengue (there is no ecosystem so perhaps that is why mosquitos and dengue spread),” Franza said of Old Balara.

He said the barangay’s dengue prevention committee initiated the release as well as intensified cleanup drives and information dissemination to combat the mosquito-borne disease.

Residents are in favor of releasing the frogs into the community’s esteros and canals as 49 dengue cases were reported in the barangay since the start of the year, according to Franza.

Old Balara was listed in 2019 as the sixth barangay with the most number of dengue cases in Quezon City.