The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday, Feb. 24, urged Filipinos to maintain round-the-clock protection against dengue, warning that climate change may be altering the biting patterns of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, the primary carriers of the disease.
This comes as the agency launched the Alas-Kwatro Kontra Mosquito campaign on Feb. 24 to encourage simultaneous community cleanup efforts at 4 p.m. to destroy mosquito breeding sites.
Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo, the spokesperson of the DOH, explained that Aedes aegypti mosquitoes traditionally bite from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and again from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. However, he said that these patterns may be shifting due to climate change.
“Well sabi nga naming sa DOH, dahil sa climate change, medyo na-di-disrupt na rin iyang pattern na iyan. Kaya sabi nga namin mas maganda na hong mag-ingat tayo na kahit anong oras, ang ating self-protection measure ay gawin pa rin natin (We at DOH say that due to climate change, this pattern is being disrupted. That’s why we are advising people to be cautious at all times and to always practice self-protection measures),” he said during a radio interview.
Domingo said that 4 p.m. was chosen as the designated cleanup time for the Alas-Kwatro Kontra Mosquito campaign to maximize participation and impact.
“Ang naging consensus, nilagay sa alas kuwatro, para doon sa panahon na masisira natin ‘yung pinaka lungga ng mga lamok at the same time ay hindi pa nag-uuwian at malapit nang umuwi ang mga tao (The consensus was to schedule it at 4 p.m., a time when we can destroy mosquito breeding sites while people are still at work or school but about to head home),” he explained.
“Actually, ‘yung significance is iyong practicality kasi kapag praktikal kailangan siyang maging habit eh. Kailangan talaga ‘yung piliin ang oras na praktikal sa lahat (Actually, the significance lies in practicality because if something is practical, it needs to become a habit. The chosen time must be the most practical for everyone),” he went on.
Domingo said that while a noontime cleanup was considered, it was deemed impractical.
“Pinag-usapan na gawin nating noon time, pero sabi naman ng mga tao na mainit at walang lalabas, at walang magwawalis (We considered doing it at noon, but people pointed out that it would be too hot, and no one would go out to clean or sweep).”
Meantime, the DOH said it is coordinating with local government units (LGUs) and encouraging them to implement creative but scientifically sound anti-dengue campaigns.
“Ang ating batas ay nagbibigay ng autonomy sa ating local governments. At aming ini-encourage iyong tinatawag na creativity basta ang kanyang kampanya dapat ay nakaugnay sa scientific basis—kung masisira talaga ‘yung lungga ng lamok, okay ‘yan (Our laws grant autonomy to local governments. We encourage creativity in their campaigns as long as they are based on science—if the breeding sites are destroyed, then that’s good),” said Domingo.
On dengue vaccine
The DOH spokesperson addressed concerns about the potential use of dengue vaccines in the country, emphasizing that approvals must follow proper regulatory processes and remain free from public pressure.
“Doon sa bakuna, mayroon kasi tayong prosesong sinusunod. Totoong mayroong mga bansa na pumapayag na doon sa sinasabi nilang bakuna. Pero alam niyo ba, mayroong mga bansa rin na kung saan ang kumpanya na nag-aplika para sa bakunang iyon ay winithdraw, inatras nila ang kanilang application (Regarding the vaccine, we have a process to follow. While some countries have approved the vaccine, there are also countries where the company that applied for it later withdrew their applications),” Domingo said.
He cited Singapore and the United States as examples, stating that these developments are publicly documented on the websites of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Singapore’s Ministry of Health.
The health department, according to Domingo, is allowing the Philippine FDA to conduct its review independently, Domingo added.
“Hindi po namin nakakausap ang FDA, binibigyan po naming sila ng distansya para independent sila sa amin in this particular aspect (We do not communicate with the FDA; we give them space to remain independent in this particular matter),” he said.
The Philippine Medical Association (PMA) earlier called on President Marcos to fast-track the approval of a next-generation vaccine, citing an 81 percent rise in dengue cases nationwide in 2024.
On Feb. 21, the health department reported a five percent decline in new dengue cases in the past four weeks. From Jan. 5 to 18, the DOH said it recorded 15,904 new cases, which dropped to 15,134 from Jan. 19 to Feb. 15.
Despite a recent dip in new cases, dengue remains a growing public health concern, with infections far exceeding last year’s figures. Between Jan. 1 and Feb. 15, 2025, the country recorded 43,732 cases, a stark rise from the 27,995 cases reported in the same timeframe in 2024.