BAGUIO CITY — International and local health agencies have chosen this mountain resort city as a research area in order to develop ways and means to totally eradicate the proliferation of the dengue-carrying mosquitoes which thrive in clear and stagnant waters mostly found in the backyard of residences.

The research studies have been bankrolled by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) combined researchers from the World Health Organization (Who), Department of Health (DOH) and Center for Health Development (CHD) regional offices are distributing mosquito nets to cover large water containers in two villages of the city to discover more practical ways to instantly kill the dengue-carrying mosquitoes so that they will not be able to spread the dreaded illness.

The pinpointed research areas are the villages of Kias and Bakakeng because of the reported surge and clustering of dengue fever cases in the said areas for the first nine months of this year.

Under the research rules, the study shall be undertaken for a period of one year in order to ascertain the effectivity of the mosquito nets while village monitoring personnel will be periodically deployed in the two villages to check whether or not the distributed nets are being accurately used.

At the same time, health representatives from the aforesaid agencies will be collecting samples every three months. (Dexter See)

Bataan Intensifies Environment Watch

MORONG, Bataan — The province of Bataan’s campaign against illegal fishing and logging scored a major breakthrough with the confiscation of various sizes of illegally sourced logs at Sitio Fuerte in Barangay Poblacion.

Bataan Gov. Enrique “Tet” Garcia himself is leading the drive against illegal logging and fishing even as he urged the policemen led by Sr. Supt. Arnold D. Gunnacao, Bataan police director, to further intensify their campaign against what they called “environmental terrorists” destroying the environment of the province.

Gunnacao said that prior to the discovery, policemen were able to monitor that suspected illegal loggers were about to deliver the logs at the beach resort, prompting them to operate and confiscate the illegally sourced logs.

As this developed, Garcia has ordered the police to intensify the campaign against illegal logging and fishing that have destructed the forests areas and coastal waters of the province. (Mar Supnad)

Town Regulates Informal Settlers

RODRIGUEZ, Rizal — Construction of shanties near the river will now be strictly prohibited as municipal mayor here discourage residents from putting up shanties for their own safety. Mayor Cecilio Hernandez said he urged the Municipal Council to pass an ordinance stopping people from constructing shanties as their dwelling place near the river.

This plan is for the safety of his constituents who live near the river as most people who reportedly died in last year’s typhoons are residing near the river.

“This is for their safety and we are eyeing the renovation of our place to boost tourism industry. The people living near the river serves as eyesores,” said Hernandez.

It was gathered that a total reconstruction and beautification of Rodriguez is being eyed to encourage investors to invest in the area.

Meanwhile, the road improvement, upgrading of electrical system, and the proposed construction of standardized police station, among others, will still continue as these are incorporated in the program of activities set by the mayor when he assumed office. (Madelynne Dominguez)