A local community in the Philippines has launched an unconventional initiative to combat the spread of dengue—offering residents a cash reward for capturing mosquitoes.
Carlito Cernal, village chief of Barangay Addition Hills, a densely populated neighborhood in Metro Manila, announced a bounty of one peso (less than two US cents) for every five mosquitoes collected. The initiative, which began after two students in the community died from dengue, aims to curb the mosquito population and reduce infection rates.
While the bounty applies to both live and dead mosquitoes, as well as larvae, captured live mosquitoes will be exterminated using ultraviolet light, Cernal said.
Public Response and Government Reaction
The announcement has sparked ridicule on social media, with users joking that people might start “mosquito farming” to claim rewards. Others questioned the logistics of verifying mosquitoes, with one user quipping, “Will a mosquito get rejected if it has only one wing?”
Despite the online backlash, Cernal defended the initiative, emphasizing the urgency of the dengue outbreak in their overcrowded barangay.
“This is one of the biggest and most dense areas in Metro Manila. We have to do something to help the local government,” he told reporters.
So far, 21 residents have participated, turning in a total of 700 mosquitoes and larvae in exchange for small cash rewards.
The Philippines’ Department of Health (DOH) acknowledged the good intentions behind the program but refrained from endorsing it, stating:
“We appreciate the efforts of local officials to fight dengue, but we urge them to coordinate with health experts for evidence-based solutions.”
The department did not confirm whether the mosquito bounty would be an effective dengue prevention method.
Dengue Crisis and Government Warnings
The Philippines has seen a sharp increase in dengue cases, with the DOH reporting 28,234 cases as of February 1—a 40% rise from the previous year. Barangay Addition Hills alone recorded 44 dengue cases in the latest outbreak.
Dengue is endemic in tropical regions and thrives in urban areas with poor sanitation where standing water allows mosquitoes to breed rapidly. Severe cases can cause internal bleeding and organ failure, leading to death. Symptoms include high fever, nausea, muscle pain, and headaches.
The DOH has urged the public to take preventative measures, including:
✔ Cleaning surroundings and eliminating mosquito breeding sites, such as standing water in old tires and containers
✔ Wearing protective clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts and trousers
✔ Applying mosquito repellent
Additionally, the rainy season has worsened public health risks, with authorities also noting a rise in influenza and leptospirosis cases—the latter being a bacterial disease spread through contaminated floodwaters.
A Temporary Solution?
Cernal emphasized that the mosquito bounty was only a supplementary measure to existing dengue control programs, such as street cleaning and sanitation campaigns.
“We are not relying solely on this. We are also pushing for proper waste disposal and preventing stagnant water buildup,” he said.
As dengue cases continue to climb, health officials remain skeptical about the effectiveness of the cash-for-mosquitoes program, urging scientifically proven interventions instead. Whether the bounty initiative makes a significant impact remains to be seen.
