Main points

Tropical Storm Ketsana

Health Situation Assessment

Health Cluster Response

Critical Constraints

• Several areas have limited access to health services and aid
• Fluidity of evacuation camp situation hinders accurate mapping, assessment, and disease surveillance
• Prolonged high-risk exposure due to retained flood water in many areas is expected

Urgent Needs

• Scaling up access of essential health services to all affected
• Improve case-based disease surveillance for communicable diseases and health and humanitarian service coverage in evacuation centers
• Increase resources aimed at containing the spread of water-borne and vector-borne diseases
• Ensuring a return to functionality of primary care facilities and re-establishment of essential health care activities, including vaccination

Typhoon Parma

Health Situation Assessment

• Rapid needs assessment by UN-GOP team still ongoing.

• The top morbidities based preliminary data from 74 consultations (58 adult, 16 pediatric) in 2 Municipalities affected are: wounds, upper respiratory tract infection, skin infections, hypertension, and others (muscle pains, headache, acute gastroenteritis).

• Php 498M (USD 10.3 M) in damage to 6 hospitals, 1 Regional office, 4 rural health units, and 2 barangay health stations have been reported. Region 1 Medical Center, the main trauma center for the region, reported damages amounting to more than Php 456M (USD 9.5M). Damage to records, pharmacy, laboratory, radiology, OR, ER, DR, blood bank, OPD facilities and equipment amounted to more than PhP 453M (USD 9.4M). Emergency room operations and ward admissions have resumed but serious cases and those requiring surgery are referred to private facilities or to the provincial hospital.

Health Cluster Response

• The United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team, together with representatives from IOM, WFP, WHO, UNFPA, and DOH will conduct a rapid needs assessment of the affected areas in Regions I, III, and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).
• DOH has deployed 1 medical and 1 assessment team to 6 Evacuation Centers in CAR.
• More than Php 2.72 M (USD 566 679) has been given by DOH in augmented drugs, medicines and supplies.
• UNFPA has distributed 430 hygiene kits to Region III and is doing rapid assessments in Baguio City and the Province of Benguet.

Critical Constraints

• Massive flooding in the affected areas from the collapse of dikes and release of water from major dams in the affected regions is expected to continue early into the coming week.

• Thirty eight (38) municipalities and three (3) in Region I are still flooded as of 10:00 PM, October 11, 2009: 23 and 3 cities in Pangasinan; 9 in La Union, 1 in Ilocos Sur and 5 in Ilocos Norte.

• A total of fifty six (56) road sections and nine (9) bridges were affected which were rendered impassable or hardly passable.

Urgent Needs

• Continued assessment of the health situation in the affected communities and in evacuation centers to determine the most urgent health needs

Source: World Health Organization http://www.wpro.who.int/philippines/home/Sitrep+12.htm

Malacanang said on Friday that the “Oplan Sagip Bayan” has received more than P58 million worth of donations in cash and in kind.

At the same time, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said in a media briefing in Malacanang the Oplan Sagip Bayan has sent relief packages containing food and non-food items to 163,476 families in seven evacuation centers.

”The relief goods have to be trucked from Kalayaan Hall in Malacanang Palace, where the Oplan Sagip Bayan is housed, to the evacuation centers. And that responsibility rests squarely on members of the Presidential Security Group,” Remonde said.

According to Remonde, when President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo directed the Presidential Management Staff to set up Oplan Sagip Bayan, big groups of volunteers immediately came to the Palace to help repack the relief goods. There have been 6,657 volunteers tallied so far.

Remonde said the relief goods packed in Kalayaan Hall originally were intended to benefit just the victims of storm “Ondoy” but unfortunately, typhoon “Pepeng” struck Northern Luzon just a few days ago.

”But I would like to give you this assurance that all concerned government agencies have already swung into action to mitigate the disaster. The Department of National Defense and the Department of Social Welfare and Development have been at it since it was announced by PAGASA that the typhoon would likely wreak havoc in Northern Luzon,” the Press Secretary explained.

National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) Chairman and Defense Secretary Teodoro has requested the United States Embassy to authorize a redeployment of US military forces to Northern Luzon to join the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), which are already at work there, conducting disaster response operations and extending humanitarian assistance.

According to Remonde, the participants in the RP-US Balikatan military exercises, particularly the US forces, will now render humanitarian assistance to the calamity victims in Northern Luzon.

He said PMS Secretary Hermogenes Esperon Jr. is now in Pangasinan, monitoring the rescue operations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) with the support of the US Harpers ferry carrying two Chinook helicopters.

Remonde also said that the Philippine Navy has dispatched five teams — three teams in Pangasinan and two teams in Nueva Ecija. Each team is composed of an officer and 15 enlisted personnel, with a rubber boat with outboard motor for rescue and relief operation and a truck equipped with a chain saw, assorted tools, as well as first aid kits.

”Other AFP and PNP teams have been pre-positioned in vulnerable areas of Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Zambales, La Union, Benguet, Batanes, and Tuguegarao,” he added.

He also noted that five helicopters — three in Nueva Ecija, two in Isabela and one in Baguio City — stand ready to rescue people in distressed situation.

”On relief operations, DSWD has distributed P15.2 million worth of assorted relief goods, in the form of food and non-food items. It has also, on standby, P95 million worth of commodities that may be drawn at a moment’s notice and P11.5 million in additional funds for the purchase of emergency relief supplies,” Remonde said. (PNA)

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ordered today local government units (LGUs) in the provinces that will be directly affected by typhoon ‘Pepeng’ to implement forced evacuation in vulnerable areas to prevent further loss of lives and identify temporary shelters for evacuees.

The President issued the order to local government executives of Camarines Norte, Aurora, Northern Quezon, Pollilio Island, Isabela and Cagayan.

At the same time, the President ensured that disaster relief response teams fielded in vulnerable areas are equipped with rubber boats, portable generators, M35 trucks, and life-saving kits.

In between the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) meeting in Cainta this morning, the President stressed to governors of provinces in the path of typhoon Pepeng the importance of preemptive and, if needed, forced evacuation.

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said typhoon ‘Pepeng’ is expected to make landfall in Aurora and Isabela by Saturday morning.

As of 11 am today, Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, Northern Quezon, Aurora, Pollilio Island and Isabela are now under public storm warning signal #2.

The weather bureau said “Pepeng” could develop into a supertyphoon within the next 24 hours. (PND)

Rescue Operations Hotlines

National Disaster Coordinating Committee

911-1406

911-1873

911-1906

911-5061

912-0984

912-2665

912-3046

912-5296

912-5668

Help hotlines:

734-2118

734-2120

Bureau of Fire Protection, National Capital Region

729-5166

410-6254

413-8859

407-1230

Bureau of Fire Protection, Region III (Central Luzon)

Hotline (045) 9634376

Philippine Coast Guard

527-6136

Red Cross

143

911-1876

527-0000

Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA)

136

896-6000

Taguig emergency hotline

1623

Meralco

16220

0917-5592824

0920-9292824

Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. emergency hotlines

for dumptrucks going to flooded areas for rescue of stranded people:

0917 4226800

0917 2414864

0927 6751981

Red Cross

Pasay Chapter 8542748 n 4343751;

Las Pinas Chapter 8734873 n 4689688;

Pasig Chapter 6350922;

Alabang Chapter 8097131/8506813

Bulacan Chapter 0446625388 n

NHQ Manila 5245787 n 5270864,

Caritas Mnl 5639298;

DSWD 9318101.

For donations, you can drop-off or contact any of the following: (list courtesy of http://sourpolitics.wordpress.com)

Relief Aid and Donations

1. Victory Fort is opening its doors to those affected by the typhoon. Call 813-FORT.
2. NoyMar relief Operations: Clare Amador (+639285205508) or Jana Vicente at +639285205499). Drop off for relief donations is at Balay Expo Center across Farmers Market Cubao.
3. Miriam Quiambao drop off points: One Orchard Road Building in Eastwood, or messagehttp://www.twitter.com/miriamq for more details.
4. Philippine Army Gym inside Fort Bonifacio or GHQ Gym in Camp Aguinaldo are now distributing donations for Ondoy Victims.
5. Team Manila stores in Trinoma, Mall of Asia, Jupiter Bel-Air and Rockwell shall be accepting relief goods (Canned Goods, Ready-to-drink Milk,Bottled Water and Clothes) for distribution by Veritas.
6. Caritas Manila Office at Jesus St., Pandacan Manila near Nagtahan Bridge (+632-5639298, +632-5639308)
7. Radio Veritas at Veritas Tower West Ave. Cor EDSA (+632-9257931-40)
8. Aranaz Stores in Rockwell & Greenbelt is accepting donations of any kind for Payatas communities affected by Ondoy
9. Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan Task Force Noah, a disaster response arm of the Jesuits, is accepting donations. Please drop it off sa Ateneo Cervini Dorm.
10. Philippine National Red Cross‘ different ways to Donate.
11. Red Cross Load Donations: Right now the easiest way to make donations from the seat of your chair is via mobile phone load. The Red Cross Rescue and Relief Operations. Text: RED<space>AMOUNT to 2899 (Globe) or 4483 (Smart)
12. Ateneo de Manila University is now accepting donations for the victims of Ondoy. Donations can be dropped at MVP Lobby. For those stranded/those who need help: To all students who need help or know of people who need help. Please text the name, location, and contact number to (+6329088877166). ATENEO, which is now an open shelter, accepts refugees. Call (+632917-8952792)
13. Papemelroti stores in 91 Roces Ave. / Ali Mall Cubao / SM City North EDSA / SM Fairview / SM Megamall / Glorietta 3 in Makati / SM Centerpoint / SM Southmall are accepting relief goods (canned goods / milk / bottled water / clothes – NO CASH pls.)
14. TXTPower now accepts donations via SmartMoney 5577514418667103, GCash 09179751092 and Paypalhttp://is.gd/3GvuN
15. Our Lady of Pentecost Parish (+632-4342397, +632-9290665) per Gabe Mercado, donations are very much welcome. The Parish is located at 12 F. Dela Rosa corner C. Salvador Sts., Loyola Heights, Quezon City.
16. Hillsborough Village Chapel – Water, blankets, shoes, and clothes may be sent to Hillsborough Village Chapel in Muntinlupa City. These will go to families whose houses were washed out in the nearby sitios.
17. Greenhills/Mandaluyong/San Juan Area, if you want to help out with the rescue and relief operations, you can drop off your donations (clothes, food, etc..) at La Salle Greenhills Gate 2 tomorrow or volunteer from 9am to receive, sort, repack the donations.
18. LUCA stores (Rockwell, Shang-rila, Eastwood, or GA towers): Send your old clothes & donations (no cash pls).
19. “LUZON RELIEF: Volunteer / Donate / Pray”: Donations can be brought to RENAISSANCE FITNESS CENTER, 2nd Floor, Bramante Building, Renaissance Towers Ortigas, Meralco Avenue, Pasig City starting MONDAY (Sept.28) / 9am – 7pm Contact Person: Warren Habaluyas (+632929-8713488) or email atluzonrelief@gmail.com
20. MOONSHINE boutique in Rockwell also accepting relief good to help Ondoy victims in Marikina and Cainta.
21. Katipunan Avenue. Contact Erica Paredes at (+632917-4741930) — they need bread, packed juice, sandwich filling (tuna, chicken, anything) You can help her make them, deliver the sandwiches to her house, or help her distribute!  Call for more details.
22. Manor Superclub, Eastwood City will accept goods and other emergency items starting Sunday at 10 am.
23. Citizens Disaster Response Center (CDRC): Relief goods for typhoon victims being accepted at 72-A Times St., West Triangle, QC. Tel (+632-9299820/22)
24. MINISTOP IBARRA (Espana cor. Blumentritt, Sampaloc Manila) is also accepting relief goods, Food (non-perishable goods only) Clothing, Medicines, Beds, Pillows, Blankets, Emergency Supplies to help Typhoon Ondoy victims.
25. Whitespace 2314 Chino Roces Ave Ext as a Mkt drop-off for relief goods.
26. Tulong Bayan hotlines for donations and volunteers are (+632908-6579998) Marilyn, (+632939-3633436) Jenn (+632-9137122, +632-9136254 & +632-9133306).
27. AKBAYAN’s taking donations, call 433-69-33/433-68-31 to donate or volunteer.
28. Worldvision Foundation is also accepting donations/volunteers to pack relief goods in QC. For $donations, BPI:USDacct #4254-0050-08
29. Xavier School in San Juan is now accepting donations, please bring to Multipurpose Center (MPC).
30. ABS-CBN through Banco de Oro account number 56300-20111 account name: ABS-CBN Foundation Incorporation
31. Move for Chiz is asking for volunteers at Bay Park Tent, along Roxas Blvd., beside Max Restaurant and Diamond Hotel in Manila, or at Gilas Minipark at Unang Hakbang St., Gilas Q.C.
32. Sen. Kiko Pangilinan is accepting donations @ AGS Bldg Annex, 446 EDSA Guadalupe Viejo. Contact Vina Vargas at (+632917-8081247)
33. Operation Rainbow (Zac Faelnar Camara) at Ayala Alabang Village needs Canned Goods, Ready-To-Eat Food, Bottled Water, Ready-To-Drink Milk/ Juice, Clothing, Blankets, contact (+632-4687991)
34. Relief Efforts for Pasig at Valle Verde 1 Village Park, contact (+632916-4945000, +632917-5273616)

The Santacruzan is a popular religious festival held in many towns and cities throughout the Philippines as the highlight of the month-long celebration of Flores de Mayo during the month of May. It is usually celebrated with a parade of decorated floats and elaborately dressed characters, representing various aspects of the Virgin Mary and other figures. The festival was introduced to the country during the Spanish period and continues to be celebrated by Filipinos all over the world.

Department of Tourism together with Intramuros Administration will bring back the glamour of the 1900s Manila Carnival Queen in this year’s Santacruzan sa Intramuros.

Santacruzan sa Intramuros will be held on Sunday, May 29, starting at Fort Santiago at 5:30 p.m., passing through Gen. Luna, Sta. Potenciana, Sta. Lucia and Anda Streets, ending at Clamshell 1 at 6:30 p.m. Mounted by the Intramuros Administration in cooperation with Camp Suki, the event features debutantes and models in gowns reminiscent of the traditional Maria Clara. The santacruzan adds color to the Pasundayag Northern Mindanao activities ongoing at the Philippines’ Bests (Wow Philippines) area.

In view of the current swine flu outbreak in Mexico, US and Canada, the ASEAN Secretariat Working Group for One Health (ASEC-ONE Health) has come up with the following general precautionary measures to prevent any type of influenza or any respiratory illness:

1. WASH YOUR HANDS FREQUENTLY
Wash your hands with soap and water many times of the day. Dry your hands after washing. There is no substitute for hand washing. However, when water is not available, you may use alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitisers.

2. AVOID TOUCHING YOUR EYES, NOSE OR MOUTH
Influenza viruses are often spread when a person touches surfaces that are contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.

3. AVOID CLOSE CONTACT
Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Temporarily, refrain from shaking hands with or kissing other persons while there are reported outbreaks of influenza.

4. STAY HOME WHEN YOU ARE SICK
If possible, stay home and avoid crowded places when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.

5. COVER YOUR MOUTH AND NOSE
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing to prevent spread of the virus. If you do not have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands. Discard your used tissue in the waste basket. You may be asked to put on a surgical mask to protect others.

6. KEEP DISTANCE
When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.

7. PRACTICE OTHER GOOD HEALTH HABITS
- Refrain from smoking.
- Get enough sleep.
- Have regular exercise; be physically active.
- Manage your stress.
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- Eat nutritious food.

8. CONSULT DOCTOR IF YOU ARE SICK
Seek medical care when you have signs of serious illness such as difficulty of breathing, confusion, severe vomiting.

9. DEFER TRAVEL IF YOU ARE SICK
If you are ill, you should refrain from getting on an airplane or other forms of public transport. In case you can not postpone your trip, consult a doctor if you feel ill upon your return.

10. LISTEN TO YOUR LOCAL HEALTH AUTHORITIES
Keep yourself updated of the situation on the influenza outbreak and on health measures advised by your health authorities.

The search is on for the the Filipino who is constantly cheerful, optimistic, has the ability to rise above life’s challenges, and has a positive impact on other people’s lives.

The campaign aims to celebrate the resilience of Filipinos amidst crisis.

The Search for the Happiest Pinoy is a project by Cebuana Lhuillier Insurance Solutions.  It is the first of its kind in the country.

A tax-free  cash prize of P200,000 plus a plaque awaits the winner. It is open to any Filipino of legal age residing in the Philippines. Nomination forms can be obtained from Lhuillier branches nationwide, or downloaded from  http://www.happiest-pinoy.com.

Stress or burn out is known to be eighty percent significant to all major illnesses including cancer. Few of its many causes are deadlines, pressures, problems at home or work, crowds, noise, pain, traffic, overwork, lack of sleep, smoking, and alcohol. Stress results in the lowering of the immune system’s ability to protect you from illnesses and cancers.

Everyone experience stress from time to time, but frequent stress is more serious and long term stress can wear out your body.

So, how can you know that you’re under stress? The symptoms are depression, anxiety, irritability, fatigue, low-stress tolerance, nervous exhaustion, insomnia, panic attacks, increase in blood pressure, sweaty palms, tense muscles specially shoulder muscles and even tooth grinding.

Its time to sit back and relax. Here are several effective ways on how to battle stress.

• Think positive in every situation, try to see the positive sides of things  and learn to make the best of it. Always see difficulties as a challenge and learn from it.

• Think about something else for a time. Diversion is not a crime. That will help the brain to rest and your emotions to calm down.

• Talk to a friend. Telling someone how or what you feel can help ease the situation. Even just by knowing that you have someone to talk to. Talking to a friend releases the tension.

• Sometimes you need to temporary leave a threatening situation, try to see beautiful places that can calm you makes you forget your problems and calm down.

• Learn to laugh at some problems. Laughter is still the best medicine, even for stress.

• Stretching your muscles can help move a circulation made slower by the situation, so you can think better. Massage muscles which have tensed up, try to move exercise your jaw by moving it up and down then left and right. This will help relax the jaw muscles.

• Go outside and walk. Try walking in a park, and held your head up high, stretch your hands, take a deep breathe and relax

• A change in diet is needed to help restore a sickly immune system. Fresh   fruit and vegetables. Eating a diet of 60-70% fruits and vegetables will really help you.

• Do not eat high carbohydrates and saturated fats. Instead, eat the slow burning proteins. Avoid coffee, chocolate, tobacco and liquor.

As of 06:00 GMT, 13 May 2009, 33 countries have officially reported 5728 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection.

Mexico has reported 2059 laboratory confirmed human cases of infection, including 56 deaths. The United States has reported 3009 laboratory confirmed human cases, including three deaths. Canada has reported 358 laboratory confirmed human cases, including one death. Costa Rica has reported eight laboratory confirmed human cases, including one death.

The following countries have reported laboratory confirmed cases with no deaths – Argentina (1), Australia (1), Austria (1), Brazil (8), China (3, comprising 1 in China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and 2 in mainland China), Colombia (6), Cuba (1), Denmark (1), El Salvador (4), Finland (2), France (13), Germany (12), Guatemala (3), Ireland (1), Israel (7), Italy (9), Japan (4), Netherlands (3), New Zealand (7), Norway (2), Panama (29), Poland (1), Portugal (1), Republic of Korea (3), Spain (98), Sweden (2), Switzerland (1), Thailand (2), and the United Kingdom (68).

WHO is not recommending travel restrictions related to the outbreak of the influenza A(H1N1) virus.

Individuals who are ill should delay travel plans and returning travelers who fall ill should seek appropriate medical care. These recommendations are prudent measures which can limit the spread of many communicable diseases, including influenza.

Further information on the situation will be available on the WHO web site on a regular basis.