The Manila local government launched the "Kapitan Ligtas: Dengue Fighter" mobile application, an innovative way to promote dengue awareness in observance of the "Dengue Awareness Month."
Led by the Manila Health Department (MHD), the residents were invited to download the Kapitan Ligtas mobile app on their cellphones.
According to the Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan, Kapitan Ligtas is an offline game that can be downloaded for free.
Kapitan Ligtas is MHD's mascot who educates the residents on how to keep various illnesses at bay and on the things to do when they get sick.
It was introduced by MHD chief Dr. Arnold "Poks" Pangan in an effort to attract the interest of the public especially children who are most prone to dengue.
Pangan said that the app is currently available on android phones only, but it will be soon available on Apple gadgets.
"Samahan ninyo si Kapitan Ligtas sa sukdulang labanan laban sa dengue. Pinagsasama ng kapana-panabik na offline na larong ito ang puno ng aksyon na 'gameplay' na may mahalagang pang-edukasyon na nilalaman upang matulungan kang matutunan kung paano pigilan ang pagkalat ng dengue (Join Kapitan Ligtas in the ultimate battle against dengue. This exciting offline game combines action-packed gameplay with valuable educational content to help you learn how to stop the spread of dengue)," Pangan said.
The mayor noted that the the idea was brought about by the fact that most Filipinos are on their cellphones most hours of the day and in view of the usual expected rise in dengue cases during rainy season.
Apart from being enjoyable, the mobile game teaches the player about dengue and how to repel the mosquitoes that bring about the dreaded illness.
"Para din po sa mga anak at apo kasi very educational ang laro o app na ito, kung saan makkita po kung paano nilalabanan ni Kapitan Ligtas ang lamok na may dalang dengue (This game or app is also for children and grandchildren because it is very educational, wherein you can see how Captain Ligtas fights the mosquitoes that carry dengue)," the mayor said.