President Marcos Jr. has directed the Department of Health (DOH) to ensure the evacuees' mental and physical health following the onslaught of Super Typhoon Carina and the enhanced southwest monsoon in Central Luzon (Region III) this week.

Marcos said this as he led on Saturday morning, July 27, a situation briefing at the Bulacan Provincial Capitol in Malolos City to determine the impact of the typhoon and the southwest monsoon in the region.

During the meeting, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa told the President that the calamity had taken its toll on farmers and fisherfolk whose sources of income were destroyed because of it.

“Mayroon po tayong mga health workers sa lahat ng evacuation center at (We have health workers in all the evacuation centers who) will augment the local. Ang priority nila (governors) ay ang health (The governors' priority is health)," Herbosa said.

"Sometimes it is the stress of the effect sa kanilang kabuhayan, so magpadala tayo ng mga (on their livelihood, so we'll send) psychological first aid,” he added.

President Marcos agreed and ordered the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to determine the farmers and fisherfolk requiring interventions.

The DOLE was also told to extend assistance through its Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) Program.  

Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said some TUPAD beneficiaries were deployed to help the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) repack food items and assist the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the clearing operations.