Dengue cases up 77 percent in Iloilo, Philippines
The Iloilo provincial government’s healthcare system is in place in preparation for the declaration of a state of calamity following the spike in dengue cases in the recent weeks.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. said the province is intensifying its mosquito control program and public awareness campaign to reduce the spread of the mosquito-borne disease.
“We are bracing for an epidemic and we have started preparations already. So far, out logistics are intact. Three things – test kits, IV fluids, bed space,” the governor said.
Defensor said the declaration of a state of calamity would allow the province to access its disaster fund to strengthen its dengue response efforts. Iloilo was also placed under a state of calamity last year due to dengue outbreak.
“We have to have another outbreak declaration for 2025. And we will have another declaration of the state of calamity,” he said.
The governor sees the urgent need to declare a state of calamity due to the “seriousness of the disease.” Data from the Provincial Health Office revealed that Iloilo has already surpassed the dengue epidemic threshold or the level of occurrence of a disease above which an urgent response is required.
Iloilo has recorded a 77 percent surge in dengue cases this year compared to the same period last year. From January 1 to March 1, 2025, the province logged 803 cases with six deaths, an increase from 454 cases with two fatalities during the same period last year.
Budget for Dengue
The provincial government has also allocated fund for dengue initiatives. An amount of P2.7 million was allotted for dengue test kits and P500,00 for adulticides under the Provincial Health Office fund for 2025.
Last year, the provincial government extended financial assistance to municipalities to mitigate the impact of the health crisis. Large municipalities received P300,000 while middle-class municipalities and small towns got P200,000 and P100,000 respectively.
Governor Defensor said the province could give the same aid to LGUs this year, if needed, to enhance their dengue interventions.
Meanwhile, the governor emphasized the importance of community cleanup in preventing the spread of the mosquito-borne disease. Tomorrow, March 8, the province will conduct a women-led Limpyo Iloilo “Alas-4 Kontra Mosquito”, a province cleanup drive in line with the celebration of the International Women’s Day.
“A dengue cleanup is not a solution but a kickoff so that we can trigger the consciousness in the campaign for dengue,” Defensor said.
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Quezon City, Philippines dengue outbreak update