Department of Health Officer-in-Charge Dr. Maria Rosario Singh-Vergeire, together with DOH Undersecretary Nestor F. Santiago, Jr. and MIMAROPA Center for Health Development Regional Director Mario S. Baquilod, today visited the province of Oriental Mindoro to provide assistance to the affected communities of the recent oil spill incident.
OIC-Vergeire met with the Provincial Government of Oriental Mindoro led by Governor Humerlito Dolor, Pola Municipal Mayor Jennifer Mindanao Cruz, and representatives from the Provincial Health Office. Said officials discussed improved patient referral, local health facility enhancement, and capacity building among responders on disaster response.
Today, medicines, face masks, nebulizers, oxygen concentrators, and other supplies were turned over to the Provincial Government of Oriental Mindoro. These were made possible by pooling available stockpiles from Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center, Las Pinas General Hospital and Satellite Trauma Center, Tondo Medical Center, Valenzuela Medical Center, National Children’s Hospital, and National Kidney and Transplant Institute. DOH toxicology experts are also on standby to support our primary care providers onsite.
“This incident calls for a whole-of-government approach, and with the environment being a major determinant of the health of our people, the DOH is working closely together with other concerned national government agencies and local government units to mitigate the effects of the oil spill to the affected communities. Over the last few days, we have been extending support to ensure that the immediate needs of the affected communities are properly addressed.
“Ang Kagawaran ng Kalusugan ay handa pong tumulong sa mga pangangailangang medikal sa probinsya ng Oriental Mindoro na naapektuhan ng oil spill. Through close coordination with the provincial government and local government units, we are ensuring that the communities have clean drinking water and those responding to the incident are equipped with proper protective gear to avoid potential risks.” said OIC Vergeire.
