By Hannah Torregoza Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy Binay has called on the Department of Education (DepEd) to consider suspending the wearing of school uniforms to protect students from the threat of dengue. Sen. Nancy Binay
(Facebook / MANILA BULLETIN) Binay, in her letter to Education Secretary Leonor Briones, said the DepEd can study the possibility of allowing students to wear long pants instead of uniforms until the dengue cases in the country are controlled. “I am respectfully requesting your office to study the possibility of allowing students to forgo the wearing of uniforms in schools in favor of clothing, like long sleeves, knee-high socks, and jogging or long pants that would add extra protection against insect bites,” Binay said in her letter. Binay said it is fitting that school authorities “explore all possible avenues to ensure that our children are protected” from such health risk. “This is but a small step we can do that could go a long way towards preventing our children from contracting the disease,” she said. The Department of Health (DOH) earlier declared a national dengue alert due to the rapid rise in the number of cases of the disease in the country. Latest data from the DOH show that from January 1 to August 31, 2019, 271, 480 dengue cases were recorded. This includes 1,107 deaths that have been reported through its routine surveillance system. The DOH has repeatedly underscored the importance of preventive measures to deter outbreaks such as dengue fever. This includes the “4-S” strategy which stands for search and destroy mosquito-breeding sites; self-protection measures; seeking early consultation; and support of fogging or spraying in hotspot areas to prevent an outbreak.