The Department of Health (DOH) on Saturday, 8 November, activated the National Public Health Emergency Operations Center (PHEO) in preparation for Super Typhoon Uwan.
Under this, the DOH Central Office will serve as the main Emergency Operations Center to ensure a single line of coordination during health-related emergencies in accordance with the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC).
With the help of the PHEOC, the mechanism for responding from national to local government units will be strengthened.
The DOH National PHEOC is composed of five sections led by Health Secretary Ted Herbosa as Responsible Officer and Assistant Secretary Gloria Balboa as Incident Manager for general operations.
The roles of the five sections under the National PHEOC are to disseminate information to the public, ensure the welfare of the PHEOC staff, and coordinate with national government agencies, regions, hospitals, local governments, and international states.
The DOH assured that it will further strengthen its response to health-related emergencies such as typhoons.
"Tuloy-tuloy lang ang tulong at pupuntahan talaga namin (The aid will continue and we will definitely get there)," Herbosa said.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. declared a state of national calamity for one year to expedite rescue, relief, recovery, and rehabilitation efforts following the extensive damage caused by Typhoon Tino.
Under Proclamation 1077, signed by Marcos on 5 November and made public on Saturday, the declaration aims to facilitate a faster and more coordinated delivery of humanitarian assistance by both the government and the private sector in areas affected by the typhoon.
The one-year state of national calamity also authorizes the immediate implementation of mandatory remedial measures, such as imposing a price ceiling on necessities and prime commodities; granting no-interest loans to the most affected sectors; and preventing overpricing, profiteering, or hoarding of essential goods, medicines, and petroleum products.
The proclamation also allows national and local governments to use appropriate funds for rescue, relief, recovery, and rehabilitation programs, including the provision of basic services to displaced individuals and communities.