The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday said that the "May Piso sa Mosquito" program being implemented in a barangay in Mandaluyong may not be effective in combating dengue.

During the launch of the "Alas Kwatro Kontra Mosquito" campaign, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa explained that the program in Barangay Addition Hills is counterproductive because some mosquito species do not carry the dengue virus.

"Iba-iba yung lamok. Baka lugi siya doon kasi baka yung dinadala sa kanyang lamong ay Culex na lamok. Baka sayang yung piso na binayad niya (There are different kinds of mosquitoes. The one implementing it may eventually go bankrupt if they keep on giving one peso per mosquito. For example, someone might bring a Culex mosquito which is not worth anything)," Herbosa said.

The Health chief explained that the Aedes aegypti mosquito is the primary carrier of dengue.

"Baka mangyari diyan mag-alaga ng lamok yung tao para may madala, para mayroon siyang ma-convert," he added.

Herbosa said it would be more effective to conduct clean-up drives instead.

Last week, Barangay Addition Hills Captain Carlito Cerlan said residents could bring mosquitoes and their larvae, dead or alive, in exchange for coins.

One peso will be given to a barangay resident for every five mosquitoes or larvae they bring.

According to Cerlan, live mosquitoes will be placed inside a chamber with a mosquito zapper, while larvae will be killed using chemicals.

Last week, the DOH reported that over 43,000 dengue cases were recorded nationwide from January to 15 February.

The DOH noted a "concerning" rise in the number of dengue cases in eight more local government, including Metro Manila, Calabarzon, and Central Luzon.