ILOILO City – As the rainy season heightens the risk of infectious diseases, Mayor Raisa Treñas has ordered a citywide clean-up every Saturday to combat the spread of dengue and leptospirosis — two life-threatening illnesses that commonly surge during this time of year.
Under Executive Order No. 018, every Saturday from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. will now be observed as “Clean-Up Day” across Iloilo City starting July 12.
Residents, barangays, and institutions are urged to clean their immediate surroundings, with special attention to clearing clogged drains, eliminating stagnant water, and disposing of garbage — all of which serve as breeding sites for mosquitoes and rats.
With the onset of the rainy season, the risk of diseases like dengue and leptospirosis increases, Mayor Treñas said.
This initiative is about protecting public health and strengthening community discipline and cooperation, she stressed.
Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection transmitted by the day-biting Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which breeds in clear, stagnant water found in containers, old tires, roof gutters, and uncovered drums. Its symptoms include sudden high fever, severe headaches, joint and muscle pain, rashes, and in severe cases, internal bleeding and organ damage.
Leptospirosis, on the other hand, is a bacterial disease spread through contact with water contaminated by the urine of infected animals, particularly rats. People are commonly exposed when wading through floodwaters or handling contaminated soil. Symptoms include fever, chills, red eyes, muscle pain, and in advanced stages, kidney or liver failure, meningitis, or death if untreated.
City health authorities stress that both diseases are preventable through proper sanitation. For dengue, eliminating mosquito breeding sites and using mosquito repellents are crucial. For leptospirosis, avoiding floodwaters and wearing protective boots or gear when exposed is strongly advised.
This is a shared responsibility, Mayor Treñas reiterated; cleanliness is not just the government’s job — it is everyone’s duty.
Barangays requiring tools or technical assistance for the weekly clean-ups may coordinate with the Mayor’s Office through official written requests./PN
