The Department of Health (DOH) placed the National Capital Region, Central Luzon, Ilocos Region, and Calabarzon under a Code Blue alert after super typhoon ‘Carina’ and the enhanced southwest monsoon (Habagat) brought heavy rains and flooding over the last two days.
Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa announced on Thursday that the DOH elevated four regions to Code Blue alert status due to the impacts of the severe weather disturbances.
“We have three regions that have raised Code Blue alert—Metro Manila regional office, even the hospitals of DOH are considered under blue alert. It also includes Ilocos and Calabarzon,” Herbosa stated. “And Central Luzon is also under Code Blue,” he added.
In a press briefing, Herbosa explained that Code Blue is the second-highest alert level, involving a 50 percent mobilization of agency resources. This means that additional teams are deployed to support regular day-to-day resources and to assist affected areas or treat patients in need.
Herbosa noted further that the DOH’s Incident Command System is activated, and meetings with health clusters are being held to ensure an organized response. This includes coordination with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
As of 12 p.m., DOH data indicated that Cagayan Valley and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) are under Code White alert due to heavy rain, widespread flooding, and the threat of leptospirosis.
Code White signifies the readiness of medical personnel in hospitals and health offices to provide necessary medical services swiftly.
In a statement, the DOH said all its Centers for Health Development nationwide are under Code White alert status, including the Ministry of Health in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MOH-BARMM).
