MANILA NEIGHBORHOOD OFFERS REWARD FOR CATCHING DENGUE-CARRYING MOSQUITOES

Residents of Addition Hills, Manila, participated in a unique initiative to curb the spread of dengue by collecting mosquitoes in exchange for a bounty of one peso for every five insects.
The project, launched by village captain Carlito Cernal, aims to raise awareness and aid efforts in combating the tropical disease, which has seen a significant spike in cases this year.
Although health experts are skeptical about the effectiveness of the initiative, residents were enthusiastic, with some bringing in mosquitoes trapped in containers to collect their rewards.
Health officials, however, emphasize the importance of proper sanitation and caution against ad-hoc efforts like the bounty program, suggesting that cleaning surroundings and eliminating stagnant water would be more effective in preventing dengue.
The Philippines has experienced a dramatic rise in dengue cases, with over 28,000 cases reported so far this year, up by 40% compared to last year.