dengue

MANILA – What began as a simple call for dengue awareness and prevention has grown into a powerful, community-led national movement. Mission: TAPOSible, an initiative by SC Johnson’s pest control brands, Baygon® and OFF!®, has successfully mobilized over one million Filipinos to take a decisive stand against dengue, marking a notable achievement in collective public health action. 

This strong response comes at a critical time. In the first half of this year, the Philippines recorded over 123,000 dengue cases, with young children and dense urban communities among the most affected. While the need for action is clear, less than 20% of Filipinos regularly use pest-control products, highlighting a gap in proactive prevention that Mission: TAPOSible helped to drive increased awareness. 

Launched in August, Mission: TAPOSible was designed not just to raise awareness but to inspire year-round preventive action by securing a community pledge, a unified, collective effort to help families, homes, and barangays take measures to safeguard themselves from the dengue threat.

The campaign launched with a multi-faceted experiential event in Taguig City, featuring interactive educational games, the showing of a dengue prevention documentary, and special appearances by key personalities, including Solenn Heussaff, Nico Bolzico, Melai Cantiveros, Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo, and Doc Kai. The momentum continued with satellite activations in Bicol, Davao, and Cebu, bringing dengue education closer to grassroots communities.

The wave of Mission: TAPOSible grew stronger with social media efforts and by activating community influencers who helped reach families and neighbours. By tapping into trusted local voices, the campaign turned individual pledges into a united movement that resonated across barangays and households. 

In less than three months, the initiative surged past the one million pledge mark. This overwhelming display of bayanihan (community spirit) showed the strong unity among Filipinos and their readiness to adopt proactive measures. 

“Our family has always been worried, especially since our area in Quezon City is one of the most affected by dengue. Mission: TAPOSible not only helped us understand the importance of taking precautionary measures, but also helped our community see how proactive prevention can make a big difference in keeping everyone protected,” said a participant who joined the pledge and encouraged her neighbours to do the same.

“Mission: TAPOSible taught me simple ways to prevent mosquitoes, and it made a real difference in my daily habits. I have become more mindful about keeping our home clean, avoiding stagnant water, and consistently using pest-control products to help protect my family,” said another participant who now sees dengue prevention as an essential part of caring for her overall health routine.

While the fight against dengue remains critical, with the Department of Health reporting over 8,400 dengue cases3 in October alone, Mission: TAPOSible continues to stand as a crucial reminder that our safety relies on our shared, daily vigilance. Baygon® and OFF!® remain steadfast in their commitment to empowering Filipino families to turn simple, consistent actions, such as using aerosols and coils at home, applying repellent before leaving home, and regularly checking for mosquito breeding sites, into an enduring way of life.