In view of the drastic changes in the current weather condition, acting Manila Mayor Isko Moreno yesterday directed the city’s public hospitals and health centers to be doubly alert and prepared in attending to dengue and influenza cases.

Moreno stressed the need for the Department of Public Services to ensure that all surroundings are clean, particularly after the Department of Health raised the alert against dengue and influenza cases.

In a memorandum, Moreno ordered the city health department to monitor all public elementary and high schools in the city and, if possible, pay them a visit to see too it that all those manifesting the symptoms are attended to immediately.

"It is also highly important that the school personnel and students are afforded the right medical information and bulletin and given the necessary medical attention, if needed," the acting mayor said.

Moreno noted that educating the parents and students on the symptoms of dengue and influenza is also important for them to know what to do at the first instance of manifestation.

"Hangga’t maaari, agapan natin ang sakit at huwag balewalain o hayaang lumala muna bago magpatingin, lalo na sa hanay ng mga bata" he said.

In line with this, Moreno also urged school authorities and the residents to take it upon themselves to ensure that their surroundings are clean at all times and free of stagnant water, known to be breeding places of dengue-carrying mosquitoes.

He assured the residents that with the delivery of basic health services foremost in his and Mayor Alfredo Lim’s mind, the city government’s 50 health centers are always ready to provide the necessary medical assistance which may be needed by the indigents of the city.