The Department of Health (DOH) on Saturday activated its National Public Health Emergency Operations Center (PHEOC) as the Marcos administration declares a one-year state of national calamity following the extensive damage caused by Typhoon Tino ((international name Kalmaegi), and in anticipation of the impact of Typhoon Uwan (international name Fung-wong).
With this activation, the DOH said it will serve as the primary emergency operation centers to ensure that coordination for health-related emergencies, including during Uwan’s onslaught, is centralized.
The DOH said the PHEOC will provide a clear chain of command and ensure harmonized coordination within the DOH and local response partners.
“Sa tulong din ng PHEOC, mas paiigtingin ang mekanismo para sa pagresponde mula national hanggang local government units (With the help of PHEOC, the mechanism for response from national down to local government units will be strengthened),” it said in a statement.
“Sinisiguro naman ng DOH na mas paiigtingin nito ang response sa mga health-related emergencies tulad ng bagyo, lalo pa ngayong activated na ang National PHEOC (The DOH assures the public that it will intensify its response to any health-related emergency such as typhoon, especially with the activation of PHEOC),” it added.
The activation comes as President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed Proclamation 1077 to expedite rescue, relief, recovery and rehabilitation efforts following the devastation brought by Tino.
DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa will serve as the DOH National PHEOC Responsible Officer while DOH Assistant Secretary Gloria Balboa will assume the role of incident manager.
In a separate statement, the agency said hospitals across Northern Luzon continue to prepare for health emergencies as Uwan nears the region.
DOH Bicol, it added, has also prepositioned PHP7.9 million worth of standby supplies, including family kits and water tanker for immediate response.
Uwan is currently being monitored inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility and is expected to intensify into a super typhoon as it moves toward Luzon.
P135.22-M health supplies readied
Meanwhile, the DOH said PHP135.22 million worth of health supplies and equipment are on standby for immediate deployment to the ongoing Typhoon Tino recovery efforts and the incoming Typhoon Uwan.
“Bukod sa mga nakaposisyon at naipamigay nang health commodities, may PHP135.22 million pa na halaga ng suplay at kagamitan para sa pagtugon sa mga karagdagang pangangailangan kaugnay ng pananalasa ng Bagyong Tino at ang kakapasok lang na Bagyong Uwan (On top of the health commodities prepositioned and those already provided, we have PHP135.22 million worth of supplies and equipment to respond to additional needs following Typhoons Tino and Uwan),” it said in a separate statement.
The DOH earlier deployed its emergency response teams to provinces severely hit by Tino, including Cebu, to provide first-aid, nutritional assessment, and mental health support.
The teams, composed of 1,300 members, also include responders who will focus on giving victims access to water, sanitation, and hygiene.
Based on the latest data from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), 823,977 families, consisting of 2.9 million individuals, were affected by Tino’s onslaught, with 73,214 families, or 282,490 persons, taking shelter in evacuation centers. (PNA)