Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan placed the city's six district hospitals and health centers on standby in anticipation of the onslaught of Tropical Storm Kristine.
The mayor directed Manila Health Department (MHD) Chief Dr. Poks Pangan to prepare the city-run hospitals and health centers in accepting typhoon-related illnesses on top of regular cases.
Despite an order from Malacañang suspending all work in government offices for tomorrow, the city government will maintain its skeletal forces on standby to provide needed services.
Apart from Dr. Pangan, Manila Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (DRRMO) Chief Arnel Angeles, Department of Social Welfare Head Re Fugoso, Department of Public Services Chief Jonathan Garzo, Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau Director Narciso Diokno, and City Engineer Moises Alcantara have also been directed to monitor the situation and to immediately respond where they are needed.
Alcantara and Angeles said teams from their offices have been roving the streets to check on fallen trees and electrical wires and to clear roads from obstructions.
Fugoso said her personnel have already prepared food packs and hygiene kits for possible distribution in case the situation necessitates evacuation.
Meanwhile, Diokno said he had already assigned personnel to ensure the smooth flow of traffic and to monitor flood-prone areas.
According to the mayor, the following health centers remain open to assist those who need medical assistance:
District 1 - Tondo Foreshore Health center;
District 2 - Tondo Health Center;
District 3 - Open Health Center (former Mabini Health Center);
District 4 - District Health Office in Belmonte Health Center;
District 5 - Icasiano Health Center and;
District 6 - Lacson Health Center