By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora

ASSESSMENT. Personnel from the Department of Health-Bicol conduct post-typhoon health response in the Bicol Region following the onslaught of Typhoon Opong on Friday (Sept. 26, 2025). The agency assured the public of continued services in evacuation centers and affected communities. (Photo courtesy of DOH)

MANILA – The Department of Health (DOH) on Saturday assured that medical services remain uninterrupted in evacuation centers and affected communities in Luzon and the Visayas following the onslaught of Typhoon Opong.

The DOH said free consultations and medicines are being provided in 230 evacuation centers in Eastern Samar and 127 in Metro Manila.

Post-storm health response efforts were also implemented in Masbate, one of the hardest-hit provinces after Opong made landfall on Friday.

The province is under a state of calamity, according to Governor Richard Kho.

At present, there are 15 doctors to the barrios (communities) and 59 nurses deployed in Masbate to augment the local government unit’s health workers.

Meanwhile, it reported that more than 6,700 families in the Calabarzon Region are now gradually returning to their homes.

Based on the latest National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council data, more than 23,300 families were served inside 1,482 evacuation centers nationwide since Tropical Depression Mirasol made landfall in Aurora last week and Opong devastated various parts of the Visayas on Friday. (PNA)