Amid the scare caused by a mysterious disease affecting Cambodian children, Philippine health authorities reminded the public Monday to take precautions against dengue as well.

National Epidemiology Center head Dr. Enrique Tayag said dengue remains a year-round threat, and cannot be addressed by government alone.

"Isa sa pinakamahirap i-prevent ang dengue. Kailangan puspusang regular at sama-sama, hindi pwedeng pamahalaan lang," Tayag said in an interview on dzBB radio.

He said that as of June 23 this year, dengue cases have increased by 10 percent compared to the same period last year.

Tayag said that as of June 23, some 39,406 cases have been recorded. Of these, 246 were fatal.

Because of this, he said people must keep their surroundings clean and dry, to prevent dengue-carrying mosquitoes from breeding.

"Kailangang intindihan (na) ang pinagmulan ng lamok (maaaring) ang sariling tahanan," he said.

Source:http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/264684/news/nation/doh-reminds-pinoys-take-precautions-vs-dengue

" The world's rice research leader, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), is located in Los Baños, Laguna Philippines. The leading rice exporter is Thailand, followed by the USA. The Philippines' foremost rice breeder, Dr. Rodolfo Aquino, was one of the scientists who developed IR8, the 1966 strain of the rice variety that launched Asia's "Green Revolution." In 1970, Dr. Ricardo Lantican of Los Baños led a corn research that saved America's corn industry from the Southern leaf blight. "