The Department of Health (DOH) has placed all its regional offices, hospitals, and attached facilities nationwide under Code Blue Alert following the widespread devastation caused by Typhoon Tino, Secretary Teodoro Herbosa announced on Thursday.
In a Facebook post, the DOH said the move was made in line with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s declaration of a national state of calamity, ensuring that the department is on full emergency response mode.
Under the alert status, the DOH and its field offices are directed to maintain heightened preparedness. Additional health personnel have been deployed to evacuation centers and temporary medical facilities in affected areas to assist local responders.
The department said it has also prepositioned medicines, medical supplies, and mobile health response teams to bolster disaster operations and ensure quick delivery of medical aid.
For immediate coordination and situational monitoring, the Operations Center and Health Emergency Management Staff have been placed on full activation.
The DOH added that three Philippine Emergency Medical Assistance Teams (EMT)—recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO)—are now on standby for deployment. These EMTs are capable of running outpatient departments or setting up temporary hospital tents in disaster-hit zones.
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), 140 deaths have been reported, while 127 people remain missing and 82 injured due to Typhoon Tino. The disaster has affected 544,081 families, or roughly 1.95 million individuals, across 5,089 barangays in eight regions.