THE Department of Health (DOH) on Monday reported that it is closely monitoring the possible outbreak of waterborne diseases such as leptospirosis and dengue, as well as flu-like illnesses in evacuation centers across Cagayan Valley.
About 10,200 families, or 31,168 individuals, are currently sheltered in evacuation sites in five provinces of the region to avoid the wrath of super typhoon “Uwan.”
The regional DOH distributed ₱2.4 million in medical aid to the evacuees, including ₱1 million in WASH supplies and ₱1.4 million in vitamins and medicines for common illnesses.
The medical aid included antibiotics like cotrimoxazole, amoxicillin, mefenamic acid, paracetamol, oral rehydration salts, lagundi, vitamin A, and skin ointments.
Dengue rapid diagnostic tests are being conducted for the evacuees, while non-communicable diseases like hypertension continue to be monitored.
In Bicol, the DOH prioritized the health and safety of senior citizens amid the impact of Uwan.
Evacuation centers received maintenance medicines, treatments for cough and fever, and regular health assessments for elderly residents.
DOH Bicol maintains coordination with local governments to ensure vulnerable groups have immediate access to medical care.
In Aurora, medical services continued despite power outages caused by the typhoon.
In Metro Manila, the DOH also coordinated with local governments to conduct health monitoring and assessments in evacuation centers.
Over a year after the Permanent Evacuation Centers Act was signed into law, former Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate urged the government to “realign a significant portion of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) budget to fund disaster-resilient evacuation centers.”
“The law was a measure that the progressive Makabayan bloc has championed since the 16th Congress, calling it a vital step towards disaster preparedness and climate resilience. Now, it needs to be fast-tracked and funded adequately,” Zarate said in a statement.
“After more than a decade of persistent advocacy by Bayan Muna, we finally have a law mandating the establishment of permanent, well-equipped evacuation centers in every municipality and city. Given the devastation brought by Typhoon Tino and the thousands of evacuees, the need for these centers cannot be overstated,” he added.
Zarate traced the origins of the law to House Bill 3648, which Bayan Muna filed on December 19, 2013, in the aftermath of super typhoon Yolanda.
“We must accept that climate change has intensified natural calamities, making them more disastrous and deadly. Thus, we have to adjust to this reality and take positive steps to mitigate the effects of disasters, which could be worse than we can imagine,” the statement read.
“No one thought Typhoon Yolanda would release sustained winds of up to a record-breaking 315 kph. Before Yolanda, the strongest typhoon on record was Hurricane Camille in 1969 with 305 kph sustained winds. Coupled with a storm surge that brought waters rising up to almost 20 feet high, the victims faced a tsunami-like event that inundated and literally flattened their communities,” it added.
“Now we have super typhoons almost every year, floods with every high tide or rain, and more frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions,” Zarate noted.
The former lawmaker emphasized that the law’s implementation must be closely monitored to ensure facilities “are built according to standards, in strategic locations, and do not fall victim to patronage politics and corruption.”
Zarate also called for a comprehensive review of environmental policies, noting that the need for evacuation centers points to deeper issues.
“We must address the root causes of these disasters. We need to scrutinize the impacts of mining, logging, and unplanned urban development that worsen these calamities,” said Zarate.
He said “these evacuation centers, while necessary, should go hand in hand with genuine environmental protection and climate action, and justice.”
