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Power supply back in hospitals affected by Mindanao earthquake —DOE
The power supply of hospitals affected by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake in Mindanao has been restored, the Department of Energy (DOE) said Saturday.
DOE said it is important that the power supply is restored in hospitals to ensure continuous medical services to communities affected by the earthquake, Super Radyo dzBB’s Mao dela Cruz said in his report Sunday.
The Energy department also recognized line workers, engineers, electric cooperatives, local government units, emergency responders, and other energy sector workers for their 24-hour efforts.
It also thanked those who worked in the field to restore power in communities and facilities amid the difficult situation.
DOE ensured that it would continue its efforts to promptly restore power in the remaining affected areas.
Meanwhile, Department of Health (DOH) spokesperson Albert Domingo said hospital operations in Mindanao continue to operate after the earthquake.
“Lahat naman ng ating anim na ospital ay operational. Isa sa Davao Region, tatlo sa SOCCSKSARGEN, dalawa sa Northern Mindanao,” Domingo told dzBB in an interview on Sunday.
"'Yung mga rural health unit, may isa pang non-functional. Sa barangay health stations, mayroong dalawa na non-functional. Maaayos ito in the next few days,” he said.
(All six of our hospitals are functional. One in the Davao Region, three in SOCCSKSARGEN, and two in Northern Mindanao. We have one non-functional rural health unit, two non-functional health stations, but these will be addressed in the next few days.)
DOH also deployed two Philippine Emergency Medical Assistance Teams (PEMAT) in Sarangani, where the epicenter of the magnitude 7.8 earthquake was found.
Domingo said the team from the Cotabato Regional Medical Center will go to Glan, Sarangani while the team from the Southern Philippines Medical Center will go to Balut Island, Sarangani.
“'Yung PEMAT natin, tinatawag na field hospital. Kaya nitong mag-opera ng basic operations, surgeries and trauma. May sariling generator at tsaka solar. May sarili rin itong water filtration unit,” Domingo said.
(Our PEMAT functions as a field hospital. It is capable of performing basic operations, surgeries, and trauma care. It has its own generator and solar power system. It also has its own water filtration unit.)
He explained that PEMAT’s protocol is to assist when the local health system is impaired or overwhelmed, but in Sarangani’s case, the team will arrive to assist the local medical staff due to an influx of patients.
“Imbes na mapagod ang mga resident, importante na magkaroon ng relyebo at mag-stay for a few days ang PEMAT,” he added.
(Instead of overburdening the residents, it is important to have a relief team in place, with the PEMAT staying for a few days to provide support.)
Mindanao consultations in numbers
As of June 19, 628 individuals have sought medical consultations in evacuation centers in Sarangani.
Majority are five years old and above, with 570 individuals (91%), while the remaining 56 individuals (9) are less than five years old.
The most common reason for consultation was respiratory illnesses, with 179 cases recorded.
This is followed by hypertension with 63 cases (10%), then fever with 42 cases (6.7%), diarrheal diseases with 17 cases (2.4%), and injury-related cases with 15 reported cases.
“Para naman du'n sa nasa lugar, 'wag pong mag-alala. May mental health training ang ating health workers. Kung kayo ay may nararamdaman, kinakabahan, or gustong may makausap, 'wag pong mahiyang kausapin sila,” Domingo said.
(For those in the affected areas, please do not worry. Our health workers are trained in mental health support. If you are feeling distressed, anxious, or simply need someone to talk to, please do not hesitate to reach out and speak with them.)
Those seeking mental health assistance may reach out to the 1553 national hotline or at these numbers: 0991 057 1553, 0917 899 8727.
Death toll
Based on its 6 a.m. Saturday report, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said the reported death toll in the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck parts of Mindanao on June 8 has reached 61.
The number of missing persons went down to 33 while those injured numbered 1,221, as OCD continues to validate the reported casualties.
Search operations continue since many are still missing in Sarangani and Jose Abad Santos in Davao Occidental.
For the last three days, rescue personnel focused on Sarangani Island, Balut Island, Jose Abad Santos, all in Davao Occidental, and Glan in Sarangani Province.
The magnitude 7.8 earthquake hit offshore Maasim, Sarangani at 7:37 a.m. on June 8.
Almost 4,000 aftershocks have been recorded as of 9 a.m. on Friday.
According to PHIVOLCS, 966 of these aftershocks were plotted, while 64 were felt by residents in affected areas.
The strength of the recorded aftershocks ranged from magnitude 1.2 to 6.4.
PHIVOLCS obtained the data from the General Santos Seismic Station and the Don Marcelino, Davao Occidental Seismic Station.
Earlier this week, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said the government will be providing P50,000 to the bereaved families of those who died due to the Mindanao earthquake.
Marcos said that P100 million was also provided to the General Santos local government under the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) to repair the damaged city hall.
The Department of Budget and Management will also release funds, also under the LGSF, for infrastructure repair in Sarangani and South Cotabato, he said. —KG, GMA News
