DoH Calabarzon on ‘code white’

THE Department of Health-Center for Health Development (DoH-CHD) in Calabarzon has put health workers in the region under Code White alert in response to Super Typhoon “Betty” (International name: “Mawar”).

In an announcement on their Facebook page on Saturday, the alert was imposed from Thursday until Monday.

Ariel Valencia, regional director of the DoH in Calabarzon, said the Health department raised the alert status due to the “track duration.”

“Due to this, we encourage all provinces to raise their code alert as their Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices deem appropriate for monitoring and response to the possible effects of the super typhoon,” he added.

All medical personnel are on call status “for immediate mobilization” under code white.

The provincial DoH ensured that their Regional Office-Disaster Risk Reduction and Management for Health will monitor any health emergency in the region related to damages caused by the storm.

Residents living in coastal and mountainous areas are also urged to take precautionary measures, especially with floods and landslides.

In Cavite, the seven cities and 17 municipalities in the province announced on Friday that trucks and other equipment for disaster response are ready for deployment.

General Trias City Mayor Luis “Jon Jon” Ferrer 4th directed the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office to ensure that all “equipment and vehicles are in good condition and ready for deployment around the area.

In Silang, Mayor Kevin Anarna conducted a pre-disaster risk assessment meeting with the Municipal Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Office, Liga ng mga Barangay, Rural Health Unit, Silang Traffic Management Office, local police under LtCol. Romulo de la Rea, Bureau of Fire Protection, DILG, General Services Office and Municipal Information Office.

Rescue equipment and vehicles as well as schools and multipurpose buildings that will serve as evacuation centers were also prepared.

In Imus City, Mayor Alex Advinucla instructed city department head officials to be prepared for the typhoon.

In Noveleta, Mayor Dino Chua advised all residents along the shoreline to be alert and secure their fishing boats.

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC), meanwhile, will be deploying water tankers to two provinces, in case water shortages will hit the areas because of Super Typhoon Betty.

In a press statement on Saturday, the PRC is sending two water tankers in the province of Nueva Vizcaya and the municipality of Subic in Zambales from the group’s Metro Manila warehouse.

PRC Chairman and former senator Richard Gordon said the water tankers will come with water bladders, which can enable them to supply water to more communities who will need them.

“We are closely monitoring the typhoon through our Operations Center as I want to know the swath of the typhoon and how devastating it can be so we can deliver the needs of the affected areas,” he said in a statement.

The Red Cross stated that the water tankers have a capacity of 10,000 to 12,000 liters of water, as flash floods could damage water sources, which may result in shortages and contamination.

In addition, the PRC’s warehouse in Subic will also be delivering relief items to affected communities in Northern Luzon.

According to the nongovernment organization, water tankers, food trucks and payloaders have also been stationed in areas in the Visayas and Mindanao.

“This strategy allows for prompt mobilization in response to possible flood or landslides which may render some roads and highways inaccessible and make relief from other areas difficult and impossible,” the PRC stated.