DOH raises nationwide Code Blue Alert amid Typhoon Tino impact

The Department of Health (DOH) raised the Blue Alert status nationwide on Thursday evening, 6 November, due to the extent of the impact of Typhoon Tino.

Under Code Blue Alert status, the entire DOH, including regional offices and health facilities, is placed on heightened readiness.

Code Blue is the agency’s highest disaster response alert, triggering the deployment of coordinated medical teams to affected regions during major emergencies.

The DOH said additional health personnel have been deployed to evacuation centers and temporary health facilities in typhoon-hit areas.

It has also prepositioned medicines, medical supplies, and mobile response teams to support local government units.

The agency said it has activated its Operations Center (OPCEN) and Health Emergency Management Staff (HEMS) for rapid coordination.

Three Philippine Emergency Medical Teams (PEMAT), recognized by the World Health Organization and capable of operating outpatient units or temporary hospital tents, are also on standby for deployment.

The death toll from Tino has reached 82, while 73 persons remain missing, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

More than 2.1 million individuals across 32 provinces were affected, with 474,056 displaced. Of these, 3,924 remain in evacuation centers.

Earlier, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. declared a state of national emergency due to the devastation caused by Typhoon Tino and the expected impact of another incoming powerful typhoon, Uwan. He assured the public that rescue and relief operations are ongoing.