BuCor’s Urgent Action Plan to Combat Dengue Outbreak Among Inmates and Staff

In a decisive move to curb the escalating dengue crisis, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) has announced a series of stringent preventive measures aimed at safeguarding both its personnel and the inmates under its care. BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. has given the green light to a comprehensive strategy proposed by CT/CSupt. Ma Cecilia Villanueva, who serves as the Officer-in-Charge Deputy Director General for Reformation and Director for Health and Welfare Services. This strategy involves heightened vigilance and immediate action to prevent the spread of dengue within the correctional facilities and workplaces. Health Service Chiefs across various BuCor facilities are now responsible for monitoring dengue symptoms closely, executing strong preventive measures, and ensuring that any confirmed cases are reported to local health authorities within 24 hours. This rapid response protocol is designed to track and manage outbreaks effectively. Catapang emphasized the importance of these measures in protecting the BuCor community from the severe public health threat posed by dengue. The urgency of these actions is underscored by recent data from the Department of Health, which reported a 40% surge in dengue cases across eight local government units from January 1 to February 1 this year, compared to the same period in 2024.