It takes a clean city to combat dengue.
Thus, the Malabon City government is encouraging the city's 21 barangays to participate in the “Cleanest and Greenest Barangay Competition 2025” as part of its intensified efforts to combat the rising number of dengue cases.
Mayor Jeannie Sandoval highlighted the importance of cleanliness in maintaining public health and fostering community development.
"Kaligtasan at kalusugan ang prayoridad natin sa lungsod dahil kailangan ito sa patuloy nating pag-unlad. Kaya naman hinihikayat natin ang bawat barangay sa lungsod na lumahok sa ating Search for the Cleanest and Greenest Barangay upang ating mapanatili ang kalusugan ng bawat isa at mapigilan ang pagkalat ng dengue (Safety and health are our top priorities in the city because they are essential to our progress. That’s why we are encouraging every barangay to participate in our Search for the Cleanest and Greenest Barangay to ensure the wellbeing of everyone and prevent the spread of dengue),” she said.
“Ating ipakita, ipamalas ang pagkakaisa bilang mga Malabueño at panatilihin malinis, maaliwalas, at maayos ang ating kapaligiran (Let us showcase and demonstrate our unity as Malabueños by keeping our environment clean and orderly),” Sandoval added.
According to City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) OIC Mark Mesina, the competition aims to promote waste management best practices, obstruction clearing, and proper operation of Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs).
It added that the goal is to strengthen collaboration between barangays and city officials while encouraging residents to take an active role in keeping their surroundings clean.
"So, recently nga po, may mga narereceive tayong reports sa tulong ng ating City Health Department na may mga lugar kung saan tumataas o nagkakaroon ng report patungkol sa dengue (Recently, with the help of our City Health Department, we have been receiving reports about areas where dengue cases are increasing),” Mesina said.
“Sa pamamagitan ng ganitong competition at tulungan ng ating community, maaari nating maalis ito o mabawasan (Through this kind of competition and community cooperation, we can eliminate or reduce these threats),” he added.
The competition will officially launch first week of March with the barangays to undergo both scheduled and surprise evaluations from April to November.
The city government said that the top-performing barangays will be recognized in December, with the following prizes: Grand Winner: P1,000,000; 1st Place: P500,000; 2nd Place: P250,000; 3rd Place: P150,000; and 4th Place: P50,000.
The city government also continues its weekly clean-up drives every Friday, led by city employees and Estero Rangers, focusing on clearing waterways to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds.
De-clogging operations are also being conducted to improve drainage systems and minimize stagnant water.
The city has intensified its anti-dengue awareness campaign through community seminars, distribution of insecticides, and promotion of the Department of Health’s 4S Strategy:
- Search and Destroy mosquito breeding sites
- Secure Self-Protection
- Support Fogging and Spraying in hotspot areas
- Seek Early Consultation for symptoms
According to the City Health Department’s City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (CHED-CESU), 264 dengue cases were recorded in the city as of Feb. 24.
It added that the affected individuals have been treated at hospitals and health centers.
City Administrator Dr. Alexander Rosete urged residents to take an active role in keeping their communities clean.
"Sa pagpapatuloy natin ng pagsasagawa ng mga programa kontra dengue, nais nating maiparating sa ating kapwa Malabueño na maging concerned sa ating kapaligiran at kalikasan. Maaaring naririto nga ang pamahalaang lungsod at handang tumulong at magsagawa ng mga programa, ngunit ang pagpapanatili ng kaayusan at kalinisan ng bawat komunidad ay magsisimula pa rin sa bawat residente (As we continue implementing dengue prevention programs, we want to remind our fellow Malabueños to be mindful of our environment and surroundings. While the city government is here, ready to help and launch initiatives, maintaining cleanliness and order in every community ultimately starts with each resident),” he said.
“Tayo ay magtulungan upang mapanatili ito na siyang magpapatuloy sa ating mga nasimulan bilang isang lungsod sa ating layuning magkaroon ng mas maayos na kinabukasan para sa lahat (Let us work together to sustain this progress, building on what we have started as a city in our mission to create a better future for everyone),” Rosete added.