QC village launches frogs vs dengue

Barangay Old Balara in Quezon City freed 1,000 "palakang bukid" along drainage canals as a deterrent against dengue-carrying mosquitoes.

Village chairman Alan Franza said they are conducting a clean-up and releasing frogs for their anti-dengue drive, which started in 2018.

Franza believed that frogs significantly reduced dengue cases in their village from over 200 to less than 10 infections.

He further claimed that there were no dengue deaths in the village since they used the amphibians against the insects.

"Kung pinamumugaran na ng lamok doon, siya na ang kumakain doon, siya na ang in-charge," Franza said over Mark Salazar's "24 Oras" report.

(When there are mosquitoes in this specific area, the frogs will eat them, they will be in-charge.)

"Then doon sa mga ilalim ng drainage system na hindi kayang pasukin para linisin, nilalagyan din namin doon," he added.

(Then at the drainage system, in areas that cannot be cleaned, we are also placing frogs there.)

The same barangay was previously criticized for releasing frogs that are cane toads.

A herpetologist, who is an expert on amphibians and reptiles, said using cane toads could destroy ecosystems in the area.

Further, cane toads have poison glands which may pose a risk to cats and dogs.  — Consuelo Marquez/DVM, GMA News