By Maris Lalog & Anthony Vargas/Manila Times
The Department of Health (DOH) has placed all hospitals and medical centres throughout the country on Code White alert from October 31 to November 3, to prepare for any health-related incidents that may occur during the observance of All Saints’ Day.
Acting Secretary Janette Loreto-Garin said a Code White alert was declared to ensure the availability and mobilisation of medical teams during emergency situations.
Garin added that their health emergency management staff operations centre will be on 24-hour duty from October 31 to November 3, to monitor any health-related events.
She advised families to bring their own food and water when visiting their dearly departed in cemeteries, to avoid diarrhoea or food poisoning.
Garin also appealed to bus companies to deploy more buses that will ferry passengers to the provinces, to avoid overcrowding and overloading that may result in accidents.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) will also be on full alert beginning today.
PNP spokesperson Senior Supt. Wilben Mayor said more than 41,000 police personnel will be deployed, supported by some 50,000 civilian volunteers.
The volunteers will assist in law enforcement and public safety operations in cemeteries and memorial parks, bus terminals, sea ports, airports, major tourist destinations, vital installations, places of worship and travel routes.
Workers and relatives place a casket into a stacked grave during a funeral at the Navotas Municipal Cemetery in Manila.
