MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday, July 15, said government hospitals are “doubly prepared”  for Typhoon Glenda (international codename Rammasun), with those in the Bicol region already in code blue alert. 

“I strongly believe – [and] I’m kind of happy to tell you – that probably we are doubly prepared today compared to before Yolanda,” Health Secretary Enrique Ona said after a press conference Tuesday.

As of 4 pm, Typhoon Glenda was already at 60 km east of Legazpi City. It has maximum sustained winds of 130 km per hour near the center, and gustiness of up to 160 km per hour.

Glenda is expected to make landfall in the Albay-Sorsogon area on Tuesday evening, between 6 to 8 pm. (READ: Bicol, south Luzon brace for #GlendaPH)

At least 13 areas are under Public Storm Signal No. 3, including the entire Bicol region.

Ona said he spoke to Director Gloria Balboa of Bicol’s Center for Health Development on Tuesday morning. Balboa reported that “things are okay.”

“But of course darating pa lang mamayang gabi (the typhoon will only make landfall later in the evening), but they already evacuated and prepared evacuation centers. Of course, in terms of supplies and medicines, wala akong worry dyan sa (I don’t have worries for the) Bicol area, they are very well-prepared. We have an automatic deployment program in case a need arises,” Ona added.

The health secretary said government hospitals in Bicol are already in code blue alert, prepared to accept patients any time. Medical personnel will be on 24-hour duty, while medicines and medical supplies will be ready for distribution. 

“We base our coding in hospitals based on weather [reports], wind velocity, as well as expectation of the extent of damage,” Ona explained. 

Meanwhile, government hospitals in Metro Manila are now in code white alert, with medical personnel on call to attend to patients any time. – Rappler.com