ILOILO — A total of 483 barangays in Iloilo Province that remained dengue-free in 2025 received P5,000 cash incentives each from the provincial government, as health officials credited aggressive prevention campaigns and strong community cooperation for significantly reducing dengue cases across the province.
The incentive program, implemented through Executive Order No. 162, Series of 2025 issued by Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., recognizes barangays that reported zero dengue cases as of October 2025, according to the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO).
The ceremonial turnover of checks was held on March 2, led by IPHO chief Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon, Provincial Administrator Raul Banias and Vice Gov. Nathalie Ann Debuque, with barangay captains and secretaries from the municipalities of Leganes, Santa Barbara, and San Miguel among those receiving incentives.
Health officials said the province’s dengue control efforts proved effective last year after cases remained far below earlier projections.
Based on data from the Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (PESU), Iloilo recorded 5,700 dengue cases with 21 deaths in 2025, far lower than the projected 21,000 cases.
“Through the proactive leadership of Governor Defensor and the swift and coordinated action of the Provincial Dengue Task Force and strong cooperation of our municipal and barangay leaders in implementing both provincial strategies and local initiatives, we were able to successfully control the situation. So, together we reduce our 2025 dengue cases to 5,700 with 21 recorded fatalities significantly lowered than earlier projection,” said Dr. Rodney Labis, head of the IPHO Health Service Delivery Division.
Labis added that the incentive program was meant to recognize the commitment of local communities in sustaining dengue prevention measures.
“To recognize the dedication and commitment of the local communities, Defensor issued executive order granting financial incentives worth P5,000 to barangay that remained dengue free as of October 2025 based on the official record of the PESU,” he said.
Meanwhile, dengue cases in the province continued to decline early this year.
From January 1 to February 21, 2026, the province logged 237 dengue cases with one death, representing a 65-percent decrease compared with the 676 cases and six deaths recorded during the same period in 2025.
The lone fatality so far this year involved a 50-year-old woman from Dingle who died on Feb. 20.
Out of 43 local government units in Iloilo Province, including Passi City, 39 reported dengue cases, while four LGUs remained dengue-free during the period — Lemery, Leon, New Lucena, and San Rafael.
The areas with the highest number of cases were Calinog (38), Cabatuan (34), Passi City (12), Oton (11), Lambunao (10), Dumangas (8), Maasin (8), Batad (7), Estancia (7), and Tigbauan (7).
Other municipalities reporting cases were Ajuy (6), Balasan (6), Igbaras (6), Concepcion (5), San Dionisio (5), Banate (4), Barotac Nuevo (4), Bingawan (4), Dueñas (4), Guimbal (4), Janiuay (4), Leganes (4), Miagao (4), Pototan (4), San Miguel (4), Sara (4), Barotac Viejo (3), San Enrique (3), Badiangan (2), Carles (2), Dingle (2 cases with one death), San Joaquin (2), Santa Barbara (2), Tubungan (2), Alimodian (1), Anilao (1), Mina (1), Pavia (1), and Zarraga (1)./PN
