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DOH goes on blue code alert for typhoon ‘Ramil’ - NDCC


Government hospitals in most parts of Luzon went on blue alert Sunday in preparation for typhoon “Ramil" (Lupit), which is expected to hit the country Wednesday or Thursday. The National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) said the Department of Health (DOH) sent alert memos to six Luzon regions the typhoon threatens to hit directly. “DOH ... maintained blue alert code with manpower on duty; pre-positioned medicines and medical supplies," the NDCC said in its 6 a.m. update, posted on its Website Sunday noon. Covered by the DOH alert memos are Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Southern Luzon, Metro Manila and Cordillera. It added the DOH also had its operation centers in all regions operating on a 24/7 basis, and had them maintain close coordination with local government units. A Code Blue alert means medical personnel will be on duty 24 hours a day, and that hospitals and community health units are prepared to accept an influx of casualties. Earlier, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said “Ramil" had slowed down and may make landfall in Extreme Northern Luzon Wednesday or Thursday. “Base sa latest data and model forecast available, pinka-likely na scenario mag-landfall si 'Ramil' sa bandang extreme northern Luzon, sa bandang northern parts of Cagayan. Inaasahang mag-landfall Wednesday evening or Thursday morning (Based on our data and model forecasts, the most likely scenario is for ‘Ramil’ to make landfall in northern parts of Cagayan Wednesday evening or Thursday morning)," Pagasa chief Prisco Nilo said in a press conference before noon Sunday. Nilo, however, said it is still possible “Ramil" may head toward Taiwan. The NDCC also said the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Ilocos and Central Luzon had also pre-positioned relief items. In Ilocos, it pre-positioned 42,000 kilos of relief goods including 20,000 family food packs; 10,000 clothing; 2,000 blankets; 2,000 plastic mats; 4,000 water jugs; and 4,000 mosquito nets. In Central Luzon, it pre-positioned 21,000 kilos of relief goods including 6,000 family food packs; 5,000 clothing; 2,000 blankets; 2,000 plastic mats; 4,000 water jugs; and 2,000 mosquito nets. The Department of Public Works and Highways placed on standby its heavy equipment, which will be ready for deployment in affected areas. For its part, the Bureau of Fire Protection is ready to respond to emergency calls, while the Philippine National Police alerted its units in Luzon, Metro Manila and Cordillera. The Armed Forces of the Philippines deployed personnel and equipment including air assets and ground mobility in strategic areas for possible calamities. Meanwhile, AFP spokesman Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner Jr. said they will maintain its informal ceasefire with local armed groups while soldiers focus on rescue and relief work. “Wala tayong time line dito. As soon as ma-assess natin with the NDCC itong epekto ng kalamidad, kung nakakaahon na ang local government, maari na mag-pullout ang tropa nang sa ganoon maari tayong mag-focus sa internal security operations (We do not have a time line for this. Once we assess that local government can handle the work and our troops can pull out, we can focus again on internal security operations)," Brawner said in an interview on dzBB radio.- GMANews.TV

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