NAGA CITY — Albay Gov. Noel Rosal has reactivated the province’s “barangay dengue brigades” following a surge in dengue cases since January, strengthening community-level efforts to contain the mosquito-borne disease.

Under Executive Order 51, Series of 2026, Rosal ordered the reactivation and strengthening of the Aksyon Barangay Kontra Dengue (ABKD), institutionalized by the Department of the Interior and Local Government in 2012, along with the barangay dengue brigades across the province.

The move came after the Albay Provincial Health Office (PHO) recorded 1,457 dengue cases from 1 January to 2 September, including 11 deaths.

The figure represents a 27.37 percent increase from the 1,144 cases and three deaths recorded during the same period last year, according to the PHO.

Of the 1,457 cases reported this year, 763 were female and 694 were male, the Albay Public Information Office said, citing the PHO report.

Under the executive order, barangays are directed to mobilize local officials, health workers, volunteers, schools, establishments, civil society organizations and residents for dengue prevention and control activities.

These include community cleanups, elimination of mosquito breeding sites, health education, disease surveillance, reporting, referral and other community-based measures.

The reactivated ABKD and dengue brigades will also strengthen community reporting and referral mechanisms to ensure the timely detection, reporting and management of dengue cases.

Residents are urged to report mosquito breeding sites, suspected clusters, unusual increases in cases and other dengue-related concerns to their barangay dengue brigades, health workers and other designated reporting channels.

4 o’clock habit

The Executive Order also calls for stronger barangay-level dengue prevention measures by aligning the dengue brigades with the ABKD framework and integrating them into the “Four O’Clock Habit.”

The initiative encourages residents to inspect their surroundings and eliminate potential mosquito breeding sites every day at 4 p.m.

Residents are likewise urged to follow the Department of Health’s 4S Strategy: “search and destroy” mosquito breeding places, practice “self-protection” against mosquito bites, “seek early consultation” when symptoms appear, and “support fogging or spraying” when indicated.

They are also encouraged to observe the 4Ts — “Taob, Taktak, Tuyo at Takip” — to eliminate stagnant water where mosquitoes can breed.

“The PHO will continue to provide technical assistance, disease surveillance, reporting support, and response in coordination with municipal and city health offices, hospitals, schools, barangays and other stakeholders,” the Albay PIO said.