DOH to place offices, hospitals on Code White alert for Holy Week
By Jel Santos
(MB FILE PHOTO)
The Department of Health (DOH) said it will place its offices and hospitals under Code White alert from March 30 to April 6 to prepare for medical emergencies during the Holy Week.
“Alerto at nasa Code White alert ang DOH simula March 30 hanggang April 6, 2026 bilang parte ng pag-tugon ng ahensya partikular ang DOH-Central Office, Centers for Health Development sa mga rehiyon at mga ospital sa pangangailangang medikal ngayong Semana Santa (The DOH is on alert and under Code White alert from March 30 to April 6, 2026 as part of the agency’s response, particularly the DOH Central Office, Centers for Health Development in the regions, and hospitals, to medical needs this Holy Week),” the DOH said in an advisory.
The health department said that under the Code White alert, health emergency teams, medical supplies, and hospital emergency rooms will be on round-the-clock standby.
“Sa ilalim ng Code White alert, 24/7 na naka-antabay ang health emergency teams, health commodities at emergency rooms ng DOH hospitals para sa mabilisang pagtugon sa mga road crash incidents, injuries, at iba pang health emergencies sa darating na linggo (Under the Code White alert, health emergency teams, health commodities, and emergency rooms of DOH hospitals are on standby 24/7 to ensure prompt response to road crash incidents, injuries, and other health emergencies in the coming week),” it added.
The DOH issued the alert as travel is expected to surge, with many Filipinos heading to their home provinces for religious observance and family gatherings during Holy Week.
On Saturday, March 28, New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) said more than 1.35 million passengers are expected to pass through Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) during the Holy Week travel surge from March 28 to April 5.
Meanwhile, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) recently granted 1,297 special permits for passenger buses in anticipation of increased travel demand during the Holy Week exodus.
The LTFRB said it expects higher passenger volume this year as some vehicle owners may opt to commute due to rising fuel prices.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) placed its operating units on heightened alert and launched “Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Semana Santa 2026,” deploying 17,000 personnel to secure ports and coastal areas across the country amid the expected surge of passengers.