Davao City – The City Health Office (CHO) announced on Thursday that it is set to begin issuing citation tickets to violators of City Ordinance No. 0401-20, Series of 2020, also known as the Davao City Mosquito-Borne Diseases Prevention and Control Program.
According to CHO Tropical Division head Melodina Babante, the penalty clause of the ordinance will now be fully enforced following a year-long information and education campaign. The announcement was made during the I-Speak Media Forum on Thursday.
“As of now, ready na ang atong citation tickets. Implementation na ang mahitabo,” Babante said, emphasizing that violations under Section 16 of the ordinance will now be met with penalties.
Section 16 prohibits the improper storage of items such as old tires, batteries, plastic or steel drums, bottles, jars, and uncovered water containers, all of which can serve as breeding grounds for mosquitoes. It also mandates vacant lot owners to keep their properties clean and penalizes households and businesses—including vulcanizing shops, battery repair centers, and junkshops—that store water in improperly covered containers.
Penalties for violators include:
- First offense: ₱1,000 fine and two hours of community service
- Second offense: ₱3,000 fine and four hours of community service
- Third offense: ₱5,000 fine and four hours of community service
Babante clarified that the issuance of citation tickets may not be the ultimate solution, but it is a key tool in reducing dengue cases across the city.
As of Week 22 this year, CHO has recorded 1,682 dengue cases—lower than the 1,942 cases recorded during the same period in 2024. The number of dengue-related deaths has also decreased from 18 to 12. The most affected age group remains children aged 5–9, particularly in highly populated barangays.
Babante attributed the decrease in dengue cases to consistent anti-dengue efforts, including the contributions of the Barangay Mosquito Task Force (BMTF). Currently, 58 barangays have active BMTFs, a significant increase from 35 during the same period last year.
“Many barangays were inspired to form their own BMTFs after observing a drop in cases where these task forces are active,” Babante said.
CHO personnel from the Tropical Division and the Environmental Sanitation Division will be responsible for issuing the citation tickets. Babante said they are finalizing implementation details and will begin issuing tickets soon.
Communities are also urged to continue practicing the 5S strategy—Search and destroy mosquito breeding sites, Self-protection measures, Seek early consultation, Support fogging in outbreak areas, and Sustain hydration.
Additionally, Babante encouraged the public to adopt the 4 p.m. campaign known as 4Ts: Takip, Taob, Taktak, and Tuyo, which promotes covering, turning over, emptying, and drying out containers to prevent mosquito breeding.
“These efforts don’t just protect your families—they help shield entire communities from dengue,” she said.