DOH, DPWH all set for All Saints’ Day

The Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said yesterday they are ready for any emergencies that may arise as Filipinos head to cemeteries to observe All Saints’ Day on Nov. 1.

For Nov. 1 alone, the DOH has placed all 70 of its hospitals nationwide under "code white" alert, which means that each hospital must prepare its supplies and manpower — including general surgeons, orthopedics, anesthesiologists, internists, operating room nurses, ophthalmologists and otorhinolaryngologists — to deal with emergencies.

"Together with the DOH-Health Emergency Management Staff, we will be monitoring the situation 24 hours a day to respond to various emergency conditions that may need immediate medical attention," Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said.

Emergency service personnel, nurses and administrative staff residing at hospital dormitories have also been instructed to be ready for "immediate mobilization."

Duque also discouraged the public from buying food from ambulant vendors in the vicinity of cemeteries because their sources and manner of preparation are unknown.

He added there have been cases of food poisoning and diarrhea traced to foods sold by ambulant vendors during the holidays, and that it would be better for the public to bring their own food and water supply to avoid contracting illnesses.

Meanwhile, the DPWH assured Filipinos of a smooth trip should they decide to take advantage of the long weekend and go home to the province.

Only one road in Aurora province — Kilometer 180 from the section of Villa Aurora in Nueva Ecija to Aurora Road — has been closed to all types of vehicles due to a flood caused by a recent typhoon, according to the DPWH.

In a travel advisory the department released yesterday morning, the DPWH advised motorists and commuters to take San Luis to Ma. Aurora to Castañeda Road via Pantabangan as an alternate route.

DPWH Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. said all is set for the "Lakbay Alalay" program, wherein motorist assistance centers have been set up along major thoroughfares throughout the country.

Ebdane ordered DPWH regional directors and district engineers to form composite teams to man each center and coordinate with other government agencies, which will also respond to emergencies.

DPWH Bicol Region director Orlando Roces said they have already complied with Ebdane’s directive. Apart from motorist assistance centers put up along Maharlika Highway and other areas, he said they have also deployed roving units to provide assistance to victims of roadside emergencies.

Roces said other centers were set up at strategic points along Cauayan Road in Masbate, Balatucan-Cataingan and Cataingan-Placer Road Junctions in Camarines Norte, and Bucalbucalan in Sorsogon City.

Mariano Alquiza, DPWH director for Cordillera Autonomous Region, has also assured the public that all roads leading to cemeteries in his region are safe and free from obstructions.