P6.1-M medical aid given to Typhoon Ompong victims

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The Department of Health said on Saturday, September 15, that it will give P6.1 million worth of assistance for people affected by Typhoon Ompong (Mangkhut) in the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).

In a statement issued at 6 pm on Saturday, the DOH said 34 health emergency response teams had been stationed in the following regions:

• Ilocos 
• Cagayan Valley
• Central Luzon
• Calabarzon
• Mimaropa
• Bicol 
• Western Visayas
• Central Visayas
• Zamboanga
• CAR
• Metro Manila

The DOH said its regional offices have prepositioned P26 million worth of logistics while P38 million worth logistics is available in the  central office.

The health department provided doxycycline to the search rescue and retrieval ream of National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council’s (NDRRMC) incident management team. Doxycycline is an antibiotic used to fight infections like leptospirosis, which may be contracted by wading in contaminated flood water.

The DOH also said its regional office in Cagayan Valley reported two buildings were severely damaged, including some equipment and documents.

Emergency purchases of supplies were also done by the DOH in Central Luzon while additional personnel were placed on standby to join emergency medical teams.

Meanwhile, 3 disaster management medical teams were placed on standby in Ilocos Sur. They would be deployed to evacuation centers to conduct health assessments on affected residents.

In a press conference on Sunday, September 16, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque also said Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III ordered the release of an additional P30 million for the cash-for-work program for typhoon victims. “Gagamitin po ‘yan sa clearing operations dahil importante naman po ‘yan (We will use that in clearing operations because that’s important),” he said. 

Typhoon Ompong forced thousands of Filipinos to leave their homes as parts of Northern Luzon were battered by strong winds and torrential rains on Saturday.

As of Saturday afternoon, Ompong had claimed the lives of at least 7 people, based on local government and police reports.

It left the Philippine Area of Responsibility Saturday evening, September 15.  – Rappler.com

READ the latest developments:

• PAGASA: rain will continue even if Ompong leaves PAR
• 2,335 families in Pangasinan evacuated due to Typhoon Ompong
• 2 responders, child dead due to Typhoon Ompong
• More than 6,000 stranded as of early Saturday
• #ReliefPH: Help victims of Typhoon Ompong
• 1,605 families in Zambales towns evacuate during Typhoon Ompong
• 29 areas still under warning signals due to Ompong
• 4,000 residents in Ilocos Norte flee to evacuation centers
• Marikina reaches 2nd alarm; evacuation advised

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