The Department of Health (DOH) allocated Php 142 million to assist victims of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine, with Php 97 million designated for the deployment of medical and public health emergency supplies to communities in need.
In a palace briefing on Friday, DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa announced that the agency allocated Php 36 million for water sanitation and hygiene efforts, Php 6.8 million for nutrition, and Php 1.8 million for psychosocial support.
“These are the blue jerry cans that we see in the evacuation centers. One can per family, and you just put one aqua tab and it’s potable also to replace our water filtration na hindi pa dumadating to provide drinking water for our people,” said Herbosa.
In light of the heavy rains and flooding caused by STS Kristine this week, Herbosa announced that the DOH declared a 'code blue' alert for Cagayan Valley, the Bicol region, and the Ilocos Region.
A 'code blue' is the highest level of response by the DOH to a disaster, triggering coordinated medical response efforts.
Moreover, Metro Manila, Central Luzon, MIMAROPA, and Western Visayas remain classified under a white code alert.
“Eleven of the 15 deaths are from Bicol, and half of them were from the landslide. Of the recorded injuries, mostly mga wounds ito, you know, when people [are] rescued out of their homes from floods, they get injured,” Herbosa reported.
He noted that minor damages were reported at medical facilities in the areas affected by the typhoon, but they remain operational.
