The Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) has attributed the tremendous reduction of dengue cases in Antique to the voluntary cleanup practiced by Antiqueños.

IPHO information officer Irene Duldoco said in an interview Thursday that there is a tremendous decrease in cases in the province this year, with 553 cases and one death recorded from Jan. 1 to Sept. 30, down by nearly 78 percent compared with last year.

The only death was of a 16-year-old girl from the municipality of Bugasong who failed to seek early treatment.

In the same period last year, the province recorded 2,469 cases with eight deaths, including one each from Sibalom, San Jose de Buenavista, Bugasong, Patnongon towns, and four in Hamtic.

“The cleanup drive is an important aspect in terms of dengue prevention,” she said.

The province has 28,959 Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) household beneficiaries mobilized to conduct cleanup drives in their respective barangays.

Antique 4Ps provincial link Jeffrey Gabucay said that during family development sessions (FDS), their members are encouraged to take active roles in their communities like participating in the cleanup drive to address dengue.

Their household beneficiaries rendered voluntary service during the Brigada Eskwela by cleaning school premises and classrooms.

Meanwhile, Duldoco called on the public to always seek immediate treatment from the nearest Rural Health Units (RHUs) if they are suspected to have dengue.

She said the RHUs have the medicines for patients when they seek consultation. (PNA)