Makati to enforce anti-dengue ordinance fines

Residents and businesses in Makati City face stiff fines for failing to keep their surroundings clean and dry and thus helping prevent the spread of dengue.

 

Makati City Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr. issued the reminder Wednesday following a nine-percent hike in dengue cases in the city from January to August, compared to the same time last year.

 

The reminder is based on City Ordinance No. 2012-007, the “Anti-Dengue Vector Ordinance of Makati,” which mandates business establishments and households to make sure their surroundings are clean and dry, to prevent dengue-carrying mosquitoes from breeding.

 

Prevention measures specified for compliance under the ordinance also cover buildings and structures under construction, which are prohibited from accumulating stagnant water and solid waste at the site. 

 

"Under the ordinance, first-time offenders will be warned and required to render three hours of community service in an area designated by the Makati Health Department (MHD).  On the second offense, violators will be charged a P1,000 fine and three-hour community service, or may be imprisoned for two days at the discretion of the court," the city government said on its web portal.

 

A third offense merits a P3,000 fine and three-hours of community service, or imprisonment for three days at the discretion of the court.

 

The ordinance also mandates that prevention and control interventions that use chemicals shall secure prior clearance from the MHD. 

 

Furthermore, all pest control operators are required to register or be accredited by the MHD before rendering services in any area within the jurisdiction of the city government.

 

Applicants for accreditation are required to submit a photocopy of:

 

- current business permit

- applications trainings

- company profile (including services rendered)

- certification and safety profiles from the Food and Drug Administration and Department of Agriculture on the chemicals or pesticides to be used.

 

Dengue cases

 

Makati's health department reported 370 cases of dengue fever for the first eight months of the year compared to the 339 cases recorded last year.

 

At least three have died from dengue since January:

 

- a three-year old female from Barangay Guadalupe Nuevo last May

- a seven-year old boy from Brgy. Rizal last May.

- a 21-year old male from Brgy. Tejeros last Aug. 21.

 

Given the number of cases, intensified clean-up operations have been conducted in 10 barangays where clustering of cases was noted.

 

These include Pembo, Magallanes, Pio del Pilar, East Rembo, West Rembo, Bangkal, San Antonio Village, Sta. Cruz, Cembo, and Guadalupe Viejo.

 

"The MHD and Department of Environmental Services have been closely coordinating with the Liga ng mga Barangay to ensure that dengue prevention and control measures, including the spraying of adulticide targeting adult dengue carriers, are properly and safely carried out," the city government said. — DVM, GMA News