Philippines launches cash-for-mosquitoes scheme to curb dengue spread
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The initiative came after a dengue outbreak in nine different regions in the Philippines, with the Department of Health recording a 40% rise in cases compared to last year.
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Michael Labag shows the 9 pesos reward he got from the 45 mosquito larvas he captured in Mandaluyong City, Philippines, on February 19. 2025. (AP)
Village officials in Addition Hills in Manila have launched a new initiative to battle the rise of dengue cases in the area; for every five mosquitoes, residents can obtain one Philippine peso (equivalent of 1.7 US cents).
Residents lined up with plastic cups and bags containing the mosquitoes they captured while organizers handed out coins and used ultraviolet mosquito zappers to kill off any live mosquitoes, The Guardian reported.
Village chair Carlito Cernal said that the village launched the program after dengue fever cases started rising in the area, with the Department of Health recording over 28,000 cases in January, 40% more than the cases recorded during the same month last year.
The department announced that there was a concerning rise in dengue fever cases in 9 regions in the Philippines, while Quezon City, the country's most populated area, declared a dengue outbreak on Saturday following 10 deaths due to the illness.
Department of Health spokesperson Albert Domingo expressed concern that the idea could backfire as residents could propagate mosquitoes on their way to get their rewards, adding, “If you are willing to give prize money for something, maybe we could consider contests for cleanliness," calling for neighborhoods to clear away stagnant waters, which form breeding pools for mosquitoes.
People on social media also pointed out that people could start mosquito farming for profits, with comments on Cernal's announcement saying that solutions must be sustainable and have "no unintended consequences".
