The Department of Health (DOH) will be reinforcing the medical manpower in the Bicol Region, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced during his inspection visit to Naga City on Saturday.

“That was the decision we made yesterday (Friday) when we had an overall meeting that DOH has to send medical teams,” the President said during a situation briefing in Naga City with local officials.

According to DOH Bicol Center for Health Development (CHD) Assistant Regional Director Rosa Maria Rempillo, public hospitals in the region remain operational despite the flooding.

However, certain medical facilities in areas heavily impacted by Severe Tropical Typhoon Kristine need additional workforce.

“We are requesting additional manpower for the Geriatric Medical Center kasi six days na pong straight yung mga tao natin dun,” she said.

Rempillo said the DOH central office committed to sending additional personnel for government hospitals in Bicol, including the Naga City Hospital.

Health Emergency Response Teams (HERTs) were deployed to assist in evacuation centers.

“Right now, our health workers, though affected, are deployed in the different evacuation centers, serving our affected population,” she said.

Earlier this week, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said the DOH is prepared to deploy the Philippine Emergency Medical Assistance Team (PEMAT) if needed.

Herbosa also highlighted the P142 million in assistance allotted by DOH for storm victims. |PND