Flood-affected Filipinos across the country will have access to P211 million worth of emergency medicines and health supplies, following an order from President Marcos, the Department of Health (DOH) said on Tuesday, July 22.

Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo, the spokesperson of the DOH, said the government has already deployed P31 million worth of emergency medical logistics to local government units (LGUs) in severely affected areas, while another P180 million is on standby.

“Sa utos po ng ating Pangulo, mayroon na po tayong 31 na milyong pisong halaga ng mga emergency medicines and logistics na naka-preposition at malamang ginagamit na po sa mga local government units sa Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Western Visayas, Central Visayas at Northern Mindanao (By order of our President, we’ve already prepositioned P31 million worth of emergency medicines and logistics, which are likely already being used by LGUs in Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, and Northern Mindanao),” he said during a Palace briefing.

For families still at risk, the health department said more help is on the way.

“Mayroon pang nakaantabay na P180 million na mga emergency medicines and logistics – hindi pa natin dini-deploy pero kapag kailangan po ay ating papakawalan (There’s still P180 million worth of emergency medicines and logistics on standby, not yet deployed but ready for release if needed),” said Domingo.

The DOH spokesperson said the supplies include essential medicines that treat the most common illnesses during disasters, especially in evacuation centers.

“Ano po ang mga kasama dito? Iyong tinatawag po namin na CAMPOLAS: Cotrimoxazole, Amoxicillin – dalawang mga common antibiotic; mayroon pong Mefenamic Acid – pain reliever; Paracetamol – pampaalis ng lagnat; Oresol – laban sa diarrhea; Lagundi – laban sa ubo at sipon; at iyong skin ointment – laban sa mga skin diseases katulad ng alipunga na nangyayari po ngayon dahil marami nga pong tubig (What’s included? We call it CAMPOLAS: Cotrimoxazole, Amoxicillin—two common antibiotics; Mefenamic Acid for pain; Paracetamol for fever; Oresol for diarrhea; Lagundi for cough and colds; and skin ointments for infections like athlete’s foot, which are now common due to prolonged water exposure),” he said.

“Mayroon din pong mga hygiene kits, mga drinking water containers at mga chlorine tablets para huwag tayong uminom ng kontaminadong tubig at mayroon ding breastfeeding kits para sa ating mga nanay

(We also have hygiene kits, drinking water containers, chlorine tablets to ensure clean water, and breastfeeding kits for our mothers.)”

Domingo said that DOH and LGU doctors are actively doing rounds in evacuation centers to monitor and assist evacuees.

“Tuloy rin po… iyong pag-ikot ng mga DOH and local government doctors sa lahat po ng evacuation centers sa utos an rin ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (DOH and LGU doctors continue to make the rounds in evacuation centers, also under the directive of President Marcos),” he said.

The DOH urged residents to take evacuation warnings seriously, saying many flood-related health risks can be avoided if families evacuate early.

“Kapag sinabi ho talaga evacuate… marami ho kasing mga peligro sa kalusugan na maiiwasan kung tayo po ay malilikas bago pa man dumating ito, halimbawa, iyong pagkalunod (When authorities say ‘evacuate,’ many health dangers can be avoided if we leave early, like the risk of drowning),” he said.

Also, Domingo reminded the public to boil water for two minutes if no chlorine tablets are available and to immediately consult a doctor if they came into contact with floodwater, even without symptoms.

Meanwhile, the agency said early signs of leptospirosis appear one to two weeks after exposure.

“Mayroong lagnat, sumasakit po iyong kalamnan – iyong mga kasu-kasuan… nag-iiba po ang kulay ng dumi (Fever, body and joint pain, yellowing of the skin and eyes, and changes in stool color),” said Domingo.

“Ang mga tinatamaan ho kasi ng lepto ay iyong bato, iyong kidneys… pati iyong utak puwedeng tamaan, puwede pong ma-ICU ang isang pasyente (Leptospirosis can damage the kidneys, lungs, heart, even the brain. Some patients may end up in the ICU).”