By Dhel Nazario The Taguig City government recently distributed long socks to thousands of youngsters, in a bid to introduce “Self-Protection” measures to them as part of the city's comprehensive work to address the spread of dengue. Self-Protection is an important component of the 4-S campaign which also includes “Search and destroy mosquito-breeding sites,” “Seek early consultation” and “Support fogging/spraying.” The long socks went to more than 2,800 Daycare, Kinder and Grades 1-3 pupils at EM'S Signal Village Elementary School (ESVES). Some 1,575 female pupils enrolled in Grades 4-6 are also received two pairs of high-knee socks each. Starting with the ceremonial distribution in ESVES, the City will also distribute long socks to male and female enrollees from Daycare, Kinder and Grades 1-3 and female students from Grades 4 to 12 in all public elementary and high schools across the city. The initiative will be spearheaded by the City Health Office and Local School Board. The distribution came after the Dengue Prevention and Control Program, during which pupils and teachers underwent a short lecture on the signs and symptoms of dengue and how to prevent it. “The students see these kind of campaigns on television but it’s still different when they get to learn and experience it up close, that’s why we’re really grateful," ESVES Grade 6 teacher Lilia Garcia noted. Schools are just one of the key target areas of Taguig’s comprehensive approach to the nationwide dengue outbreak. For instance, after the ovitrap training, the city government will install ovitraps across the city to prevent the breeding of Aedes aegypti, the main vector transmitting the dengue virus. The city held the information campaign and distribution program after opening a Dengue Fast Lane and a Dengue Ward at the Taguig Pateros District Hospital. Prior to this, on July 17-19, barangay captains and other stakeholders participated in the first-ever Taguig Dengue Summit. A few weeks later, Taguig City went on a simultaneous dengue cleanup drive on August 16. Last Saturday, the local government held the General Parents-Teachers Association: Dengue Summit which encouraged Taguigeño parents and educators to participate in fighting dengue by informing them of effective ways on how to prevent the disease either at home or at school. "The city government is doing all that it possibly can to protect its constituents from any disease, including Dengue," said Taguig City Mayor Lino Cayetano.