The Situation Report

WATCH: Sa gitna ng tumataas na kaso ng influenza nitong mga nakaraang araw, inumpisahan na ng Department of Health ang pagbabakuna ng flu vaccine sa vulnerable population sa lungsod ng Maynila. Panoorin ang video na ito. #TheSituationReport

IWASAN ANG MARAMING SAUCE WATCH: Upang hindi madale ng food poisoning, nagpaalala ang Department of Health (DOH) sa mga planong magpalipas ng magdamag sa mga sementeryo na iwasan ang pagkain na ma-sauce dahil madali itong dapuan ng mikrobyo. #TheSituationReport

DOH SA PAGBABAKUNA: 'KAILANGAN DUMULOG PO KAYO, LALO NA KUNG KAYO AY 60 AND ABOVE' WATCH: Dahil pasok sa vulnerable population ang senior citizens o nakatatanda sa mga sakit, hinimok ni Health Secretary Edwin Mercado ang mga ito pumunta sa health centers at magpabakuna. #TheSituationReport

WATCH: Target ilunsad ng Department of Health ang AMBISYON — isang programa na layong makapagbigay ng mabilis na basic services, maikling pila, magandang kalidad ng equipment at iba pa para sa mga nangangailangan ng tulong medikal. Narito ang pahayag ni DOH Secretary Edwin Mercado. #TheSituationReport

WATCH: Target ilunsad ng Department of Health ang AMBISYON — isang programa na layong makapagbigay ng mabilis na basic services, maikling pila, magandang kalidad ng equipment at iba pa para sa mga nangangailangan ng tulong medikal. Narito ang pahayag ni DOH Secretary Edwin Mercado. #TheSituationReport

WATCH: Ano ang paalala ng Department of Health sa mga Pilipino ngayong #Undas? Panoorin ang pahayag ni Health Secretary Edwin Mercado. #TheSituationReport

WATCH: Nag-deploy ang Department of Health (DOH) ng 2,977 na medical stations sa bansa kasabay ng #Undas. Sinabi rin ni DOH Secretary Edwin Mercado na nakataas na rin ang Code White o paghahanda sa anumang sitwasyon ngayong long weekend. Panoorin ang video na ito. #TheSituationReport

DOH ASSURES MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT FOR THE HOLIDAYS, URGES THOSE WHO FEEL ALONE TO CALL HOTLINE SITREP/Health: The Department of Health (DOH) is readying mental health support for the holidays, and Health Secretary Dr. Edwin Mercado urged those who feel alone to call its hotline. Mercado told @DZRHNews program “Special on Saturday” on October 31 that people who spend the holidays alone and without family sometimes experience mental health issues. “Bukod diyan, minsan po kapag nagsosolo at walang kasamang pamilya, mayroon ding mental health issues. Kaya po tayo ay naghahanda rin sa mga mental health concerns,” Mercado said. Mercado said the DOH mental health hotline directs callers to a mental health-trained healthcare worker who can give advice and help. “Kayo po ay ididirekta sa isang mental health-trained healthcare worker para kayo po ay mabigyan ng tulong,” Mercado said. The National Center for Mental Health Crisis Hotline can be reached toll-free from landlines at 1553 or by mobile phone at 0917-899-8727. #TheSituationReport

DOH RACING TO VACCINATE AGAINST FLU THROUGH JANUARY 2027 AFTER LAST YEAR'S PROCUREMENT PROBLEMS SITREP/Health: The Department of Health (DOH) is racing to vaccinate against flu through January 2027 after last year’s procurement problems, as influenza-like illness cases rise from last week, Health Secretary Dr. Edwin Mercado said. Asked if a flu vaccination drive was held in previous years, Mercado told @DZRHNews program “Special on Saturday” on October 31 that there was one, but procurement problems arose last year. “Noong mga nakaraang taon naman po ay mayroon. Nagkaroon lang po ng kaunting problema doon sa procurement noong nakaraang taon,” Mercado said. Mercado said he sped up procurement of the flu vaccine after being appointed Health Secretary, since none was given last year. “Kaya po pinabilis ko ang procurement ng flu vaccine noong ako po ay nahirang na Secretary of Health, kasi noong nakaraang taon po ay hindi tayo nakapagbigay. Ngayon lang po ulit nakakapagbigay at pina-fast-track ko nga,” he said. The DOH chief said vaccination should normally start around July or August, but DOH is now trying to give the shots through December and January. “Kaya usually dapat nag-uumpisang mag-vaccinate bandang July o August pa. Ngayon nga po nasa bandang October na tayo, pero hinahabol po namin para maibigay po natin hanggang December at January,” Mercado said. Mercado said cases of influenza-like illness this year are lower than last year, and DOH is still studying if the missed vaccination last year is the reason. “Kumpara po noong nakaraang taon, ang dami ng mga nagkakaroon ng influenza-like illness this year ay mas mababa. Pinag-aaralan pa po namin kung ‘yun po ay sanhi ng hindi pagkakabigay ng bakuna noong nakaraang taon,” he said. Mercado said cases have risen compared with last week, which shows a trend that DOH is trying to catch up with through its vaccination drive. “Pero kumpara po noong nakaraang linggo, tumaas po. May trend po, kaya hinahabol namin,” the DOH chief said. Mercado said the cases have not yet reached the threshold of concern, but DOH will not wait for that, which is why vaccination has started. “Mino-monitor po natin. Hindi pa naman siya umaabot sa threshold o doon sa level na ikababahala. Hindi na po natin hihintayin na umakyat doon, kaya po tayo nagbibigay na ng bakuna,” he said. Asked how DOH will ensure the vaccines are used up, Mercado said the vulnerable groups alone can absorb the supply, and any excess will go to the next priority levels. “Tiyak po namin na mauubos natin ang uptake,” he said. #TheSituationReport

DOH BEGINS FLU VACCINATION CAMPAIGN IN MANILA CITY, MORE REGIONS TO FOLLOW SITREP/Health: The Department of Health (DOH) began its flu vaccination campaign in Manila City, with more regions to follow, Health Secretary Dr. Edwin Mercado said. Asked about his Friday visit to Baseco, Mercado told @DZRHNews program “Special on Saturday” on October 31 that the DOH launched its influenza vaccination campaign with Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno. Asked if listeners in Davao, Cotabato, General Santos, Cagayan de Oro and Zamboanga will also get the vaccine, Mercado answered yes, saying Manila came first because the vaccines were delivered only on Thursday. “Nauna nga lang po sa Maynila kasi kade-deliver lang po noong Thursday, kaya sabi ko umpisahan na kaagad natin ng Biyernes. Kaya pagkalabas noong Thursday, nilabas po kaagad namin,” the DOH chief said. Mercado said incidents of influenza-like illness, which he described as basically the flu, have been rising in recent months and weeks. “Kasi noong nakaraang mga buwan at linggo ay nakikita nating tumataas ang insidente ng tinatawag na influenza-like illness. 'Yun po 'yung basically trangkaso,” he said. The DOH chief said the illness can come from allergy, an influenza virus or COVID, so it is hard to pinpoint and needs further testing, which is why vaccination comes first. “Pero ang pinakauna po naming ginagawa diyan ay bakuna, para po kahit COVID or influenza 'yan, may cross-protection na tinatawag,” Mercado said. Mercado said crowds during Undas and Christmas raise the risk, because the flu spreads through droplets and by touching things a sick person has touched, then the eyes or nose. “Kapag may pagtitipon gaya ngayon, Undas at Pasko, nagdidikit-dikit ang mga tao, kaya mas mabilis ma-transmit,” he said. #TheSituationReport

'CUT SALT, SLEEP ENOUGH, EAT LESS' SITREP/Health: Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Dr. Edwin Mercado advised the public to cut salt, sleep enough and eat less during holiday feasts to keep hypertension and diabetes from worsening. Mercado told @DZRHNews program “Special on Saturday” on October 31 that the public should go easy on food because families will gather and hold reunions in the coming weeks. “Iminumungkahi rin namin na medyo hinay-hinay sa pagkain dahil alam nating magtitipon-tipon at magre-reunion tayo,” the DOH chief said. Mercado said people should cut back on salty food, which worsens hypertension, and that staying up late and eating fatty food also add to hypertension and diabetes. “Magbawas po talaga ng kain ng maalat dahil 'yan po ang nagpapalala. Ang pagpupuyat at pagkain ng medyo matataba ay nakakadagdag din po sa hypertension at diabetes. Kailangan pong medyo takalan natin ang ating kinakain,” he said. #TheSituationReport

DOH READIES FOR STROKE AND HEART ATTACK CASES AS HOLIDAY FEASTS BEGIN SITREP/Health: The Department of Health (DOH) is preparing for stroke and heart attack cases as holiday feasts begin, Health Secretary Dr. Edwin Mercado said. Mercado told @DZRHNews program “Special on Saturday” on October 31 that DOH is readying for stroke and heart attack cases, which rise with the heavy eating and reunions of the season. “Ang kahandaan natin ay para sa mga kalimitang nase-stroke at inaatake sa puso, kasi 'yun po ang tumataas during these times. Maraming adobo, maraming maaalat na kinakain, maraming handaan, maraming reunion, alumni homecoming, at family reunion,” the DOH chief said. Mercado said the peak in stroke incidents runs from Undas until Christmas, when people overeat and overdrink, so he is advising the public to take it easy. “Dapat po ay alagaan din natin ang ating kalusugan dahil tuloy-tuloy 'yan, mula Undas hanggang Pasko. Diyan ang pinakamaraming nagkakaroon ng insidente ng stroke dahil medyo napapasobra ng kain at inom, kaya kailangan nating mag-abiso na hinay-hinay lang tayo,” he said. #TheSituationReport

DOH CHIEF'S TIPS TO AVOID FOOD POISONING THIS UNDAS SITREP/Undas 2026: Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Dr. Edwin Mercado advised Undas visitors to cook food thoroughly, let it steam before covering it, avoid saucy dishes and smell it before eating to prevent food poisoning. Asked how to prevent food poisoning when many families cook a day before, Mercado told @DZRHNews program “Special on Saturday” on October 31 that food must be thoroughly cooked first. “Ayun nga po, kailangan munang tiyaking lutong-luto ang ating mga pagkain. Kung pwede nga po ay pasingawin muna bago takpan dahil kapag basa-basa pa at binalot, iyon ang pinamumugaran ng mga mikrobyo,” Mercado said. The DOH chief said dishes with a lot of sauce should be avoided too, because germs also live in them, and food should be smelled before eating to make sure it has not spoiled. “Iwasan din ang maraming sauce kasi doon din namumuhay ang mikrobyo. Siyempre po, amuy-amuyin muna natin bago kainin upang matiyak na hindi pa panis,” he said. Mercado said food brought to the cemetery and kept there overnight in the heat may spoil quickly, so visitors should make sure it has not gone bad. “Para sa mga pagkain, tiyaking hindi ito napapanis. Kung dadalhin po sa sementeryo at titigil tayo roon magdamag habang mainit, baka po mapanis agad,” he said. In his final advice to the public, Mercado asked families to make sure their food has not spoiled so they can be happy together. “Tiyakin din pong ang ating mga pagkain ay hindi panis upang masiguro na tayo ay masayang magkakasama,” Mercado said. #TheSituationReport

SENIORS WITH DIABETES OR HYPERTENSION URGED TO REGISTER AT HEALTH CENTERS FOR FLU SHOTS SITREP/Health: Seniors with diabetes or hypertension are urged to register at their health centers to be prioritized for flu shots, Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Dr. Edwin Mercado said. Mercado told @DZRHNews program “Special on Saturday” on October 31 that seniors 60 and above with pre-existing diseases such as diabetes or hypertension should go to their health centers to be recorded and prioritized. “Ang delivery kasi ng ating bakuna ay doon mismo sa ating mga rural health units, municipal health centers, at city health centers. Talaga pong kailangan dumulog kayo, lalo na nga po kung kayo ay 60 and above at mayroon kayong mga pre-existing diseases gaya ng diabetes, hypertension, o na-stroke na dati. Kailangan pong maitala para kayo ay mabigyan at ma-prioritize,” Mercado said. The DOH chief said the priority groups are seniors, people with comorbidities and children five years old and below, especially underweight or malnourished children. “Kaya ang target natin ay ang mga senior citizen, ‘yung mga may comorbidities, at ang mga batang 5 years old and below,” he said. Mercado said barangay health workers refer people to the Municipal Health Office, and city and municipal health officers decide who will be prioritized. “Ang pinakamarunong diyan ay ang mga barangay health workers. Sila ang nagre-refer sa Municipal Health Office. Ang ating mga city health officer at municipal health officer ang nagbibigay ng direksyon kung sino ang ipa-prioritize,” he said. The DOH chief said the vaccines will be delivered in stages because of the cold chain, down to the farthest parts of the country, so people should ask local health offices for the schedule. “Ito pong pagbaba natin ng bakuna ay in stages kasi nga po may cold chain ‘yan, at ang delivery ay all the way down sa pinakadulo ng ating kapuluan. Hindi ‘yan agarang sabay-sabay maibibigay, kaya makipagsangguni po sila para malaman ang schedule,” he said. Mercado said he has directed regional directors to give the vaccine right away, until January, so that as many priority patients as possible are covered. “Kaya ang directive ko po sa ating mga regional directors ay ibigay po kaagad hanggang January,” he said. #TheSituationReport

'SHORT QUEUES, WORKING EQUIPMENT, FRAGRANT RESTROOMS' SITREP/Health: The Department of Health (DOH) set hospital service goals of short queues, working equipment and fragrant comfort rooms under a program called "AMBISYON." Health Secretary Dr. Edwin Mercado stressed on @DZRHNews program “Special on Saturday” on October 31 that AMBISYON covers the very basic services that patients should receive. “Mayroon kaming ilulunsad na AMBISYON. Ito ay ang mga napaka-basic na serbisyong dapat naibibigay natin sa mga pasyente,” Mercado said. The DOH chief said these include fast service, short queues, working equipment, lights that are not burned out and comfort rooms that smell good. Mercado said the objective is for a hospital comfort room to be clean and pleasant enough that a person could eat in it, which he called DOH’s ambition. He said social support should also be in place so that people in need can access services quickly, with DOH eyeing a January launch while it drafts the guidelines. “At saka ‘yung social support ay dapat nandoon na para mabilis na maka-access ang mga nangangailangan. Tinitingnan naming mailunsad ito by January, at kasalukuyan na naming binabalangkas ang mga guidelines,” Mercado said. Mercado said the push comes from the fact that hospital operations take up 48 percent of the budget of the Office of the Secretary, yet no one was focusing on it. Mercado said this led the DOH under his leadership to set up a Hospital Cluster that focuses on operations, patient safety, facilities and finance. “Ito nga ‘yung isang area na aking tinututukan. Malaki kasi ang experience ko sa pagpapatakbo ng ospital,” the DOH chief said. Mercado said the DOH will put in place standard financial reporting, which will show which hospital runs most efficiently and which best allocates its resources. #TheSituationReport

'SKIP THE JACKET, WEAR LIGHT-COLORED CLOTHES AT THE CEMETERY' SITREP/Undas 2026: Health Secretary Dr. Edwin Mercado advised cemetery visitors to skip the jacket and wear lightweight, light-colored clothes because jackets trap heat inside. Mercado told @DZRHNews program “Special on Saturday” on October 31 that apart from hydration, the usual advice for visitors is to wear lightweight and light-colored clothes. “Kalimitan po riyan, apart from hydration, ay ang magsuot ng medyo lightweight at light-colored na damit. Huwag nang mag-jacket dahil mag-iipon lang 'yun ng init sa loob,” Mercado said. The Department of Health (DOH) chief said family gatherings at the cemetery are a tradition that is hard to prohibit, since they strengthen the bonds of the community. “Tradisyon na po natin ito at mahirap pong pagbawalan dahil ito ang pagkakataong magtipon-tipon at importante ring ma-strengthen ang bonds ng ating komunidad,” he said. Mercado advised against wrapping children in thick clothes, and asked families to bring drinks in clean containers with a safe water source. “Ang maipapayo lang po namin, huwag masyadong balutin ng makakapal ang mga bata; magsuot lang po ng light clothings. Magdala rin po ng inumin, at tiyaking malinis ang mga container at ligtas ang pinagmulan ng tubig,” he said. Mercado also urged visitors to locate the DOH first aid stations in the cemetery right away, so they can seek help easily if the need arises. “Hanapin din agad kung nasaan ang aming mga first aid stations sa sementeryo para madaling dumulog kung sakali,” the DOH chief said. #TheSituationReport

DOH TO CEMETERY VISITORS: 'DRINK WATER EVEN WHEN NOT THIRSTY, STAY IN SHADE FROM 10AM TO 3PM' SITREP/Undas 2026: The Department of Health (DOH) is urging cemetery visitors to drink water even when not thirsty and to stay in the shade from 10 AM to 3 PM. Health Secretary Dr. Edwin Mercado said told @DZRHNews program “Special on Saturday” on October 31 that people heading home for the holiday should be well hydrated because of the hot weather. “Pangalawa, dapat well-hydrated ang ating mga maglalakbay dahil tag-init ngayon. Unti-unti ay parang hindi natin nararamdaman na hindi tayo nauuhaw, pero kailangan nating uminom kahit hindi uhaw para tiyaking hydrated tayo,” Mercado said. Mercado said that at the cemetery, visitors with nothing to do should stay in the shade, especially when the sun is at its highest from 10 AM to 3 PM. “Kung wala naman talagang kailangang gawin, manatili sa lilim para hindi ma-expose sa araw. Lalo na sa kasagsagan ng ating kainitan mula alas-diyes ng umaga hanggang alas-tres ng hapon, 'yan po ang tirik na tirik ang araw. Kaya kung pwede po ay doon tayo sa shaded area,” he said. The DOH chief said heat and fatigue are the usual causes of complaints at cemeteries, such as higher blood pressure and blood sugar, dizziness and fainting. “Kalimitan po riyan ay epekto ng pagod at init. Tumataas ang blood pressure, tumataas ang blood sugar, nahihilo, at nahihimatay. Kalimitan naman po ay naaayos din; minsan ay nilalagyan po ng IV o dextrose para ma-rehydrate, at naaagapan naman po agad,” Mercado said. The DOH's #KeriNotSkeri campaign shown during the program lists three tips for Undas visitors, which are to drink water, wear light-colored clothes and stay in shaded areas. Mercado cited the heat index classification of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), under which heat stroke is probable at 42°C and imminent at 52°C and above. #TheSituationReport

DOH DEPLOYS NEARLY 3,000 MEDICAL STATIONS NATIONWIDE FOR UNDAS 2026 SITREP/Undas 2026: The Department of Health (DOH) has raised a "Code White" alert for all hospitals and deployed 2,977 medical stations nationwide, Health Secretary Dr. Edwin Mercado said. Mercado also told @DZRHNews program “Special on Saturday” on Friday, October 31, that the DOH has 4,767 teams going around the country to help quickly anyone who needs assistance. “Kasama po nito, mayroon tayong 2,977 medical stations all over the country. Mayroon din po tayong 4,767 teams na talagang umiikot para mabilis na maka-assist kung sakaling may mangailangan. Katuwang po natin dito ang mga municipal health officers sa ating mga local government units, ang PNP, at ang BFP o Bureau of Fire Protection,” Mercado said. The DOH chief said "Code White" means preparation, while Code Red and Code Blue are the highest levels and mean incidents are already happening. “Ang Code White po ay paghahanda. Nag-i-stock up po tayo ng mga gamit, at ang mga personnel natin ay umiikot at nagmomonitor,” Mercado said. Mercado said a command center under the Health Emergency Management Bureau is where DOH coordinates its response, and that the center is already ready for Undas. The DOH chief added that Quick Action Response teams are on site at cemeteries, with tents serving as access points where people can seek help, although these are not clinics. “May mga teams din po kami na nagsisilbing Quick Action Response teams na nandoon on-site. Hindi naman po ito clinic, ngunit mayroon tayong mga tents na access points kung saan pwedeng sumangguni at lumapit ang ating mga kababayan,” Mercado said. Mercado also assured the public that ambulances have been deployed as part of the referral system used when patients need to be taken to a hospital. #TheSituationReport

TSR-WEEKEND SPECIAL REPORT: Mahal ang mamatay: Burol at libing, apektado rin ng inflation? | via @ednielparrosa , DZRH News #TheSituationReportWeekend

THIS IS HOW HONG KONG'S LEADERS APOLOGIZED OVER A DEADLY HIGH-RISE FIRE SITREP/China: Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee and seven other officials bowed in a public apology on Thursday, October 29 over the Wang Fuk Court housing estate fire, the city’s deadliest since 1948, which killed 168 people. The bow came at a press conference where Lee released the findings of an independent investigation, a report of more than 1,000 pages by a judge-led panel. “As Chief Executive and head of the government, I am deeply saddened,” said Lee, before bowing with the seven other officials. “On behalf of the SAR (Special Administrative Region) government, I offer my apologies to the victims and the public at large,” he said. Hong Kong housing secretary Winnie Ho has resigned, Lee announced at the press conference, making Ho the first official to step down over the fire. The independent probe held four government departments partially responsible, saying “The Committee finds that no Government department took effective ownership of various fire safety issues and complaints about fire hazards fell into a vacuum.” The fire swept through seven 31-storey towers at the Wang Fuk Court complex in Tai Po last November 2025, after residents had raised safety concerns about its renovation for more than a year. Lee promised reforms to the building industry and regulatory system, including laws to criminalize bid rigging in construction, with fines of up to HK$10-million (or more than ₱81 million) and 10 years in prison. #TheSituationReport