DOH emergency teams on alert as Filipinos travel to vote

<p><strong>PROVINCE-BOUND</strong>. Passengers bound for Southern Luzon provinces flock the JAC Liner bus terminal in Quezon City on Saturday (May 10, 2025). The midterm elections on Monday (May 12) is a non-working holiday. <em>(PNA photo by Joan Bondoc)</em></p> — **PROVINCE-BOUND**. Passengers bound for Southern Luzon provinces flock the JAC Liner bus terminal in Quezon City on Saturday (May 10, 2025). The midterm elections on Monday (May 12) is a non-working holiday. *(PNA photo by Joan Bondoc)*

MANILA – Road emergency teams have set up stations along expressways and other major thoroughfares as thousands of Filipinos travel to the provinces to vote for the midterm elections on May 12.

The Department of Health (DOH) on Saturday said health posts of various hospitals are set up at the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) to respond to medical emergencies and accidents.

“Ngayong halalan, maging ligtas at mahinahon tayo sa daan. Siguraduhing nasa tamang kalagayan ang sarili at ang sasakyan bago bumyahe (This coming elections, be safe and calm while on the road. Ensure that you and your vehicle are well conditioned before traveling),” DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said in a news release.

“Sakaling magkaroon ng medical emergency, handang umaksyon ang DOH na naka-toka sa mga health posts ng expressways (Should there be any medical emergency, the DOH is ready to respond through its health posts stations along expressways),” he added.

In case of health emergencies, the public may reach out to Emergency 911 or the DOH Hotline 1555 (Press 2).

The DOH emergency team along NLEX and SLEX are responders from the East Avenue Medical Center, Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital, Quirino Memorial Medical Center, Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center, Dr. Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Research and Medical Center, Batangas General Hospital, Joni Villanueva General Hospital, Jose B. Lingad Memorial General Hospital, Las Piñas General Hospital and Satellite Trauma Center, Valenzuela Medical Center, Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital, and Philippine Heart Center.

On Monday, the DOH will also put up health posts in polling centers to provide medical services and first aid to the voting public.

The DOH has raised Code White on May 11 to 14 for improved coordination among health facilities across the country.

Herbosa said these measures are in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to ensure that emergency response is ready in all regions during the election season. — Joyce Ann L. Rocamora (PNA)

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Credit belongs to: www.pna.gov.ph