DOH raises ‘code white’ alert level amid holding of BARMM polls

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) has raised a “code white” alert level for the conduct of the first Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary elections on Monday, September 14. 

The agency said on Monday that the DOH Central Office, Centers for Health Development, and DOH hospitals in BARMM are on standby to provide necessary medical assistance and respond to health emergencies. 

READ: 88.11% of BARMM poll centers open so far – PNP monitoring

“Sa ilalim ng Code White Alert, 24/7 na nakaantabay ang health emergency teams, health commodities, at emergency rooms ng DOH hospitals para sa agarang pagtugon sa mga posibleng road crash incidents, injuries, at iba pang medical emergencies kaugnay ng halalan,” the DOH wrote in a Facebook post. 

(Under the Code White Alert, health emergency teams, health commodities, and emergency rooms of DOH hospitals are on standby to respond to possible road crash incidents, injuries, and other medical emergencies related to the elections.

READ: BARMM chief condemns violence before, during elections

Ahead of the conduct of the historical elections, the Commission on Elections reported explosion and shooting incidents in Cotabato, City. It noted that three individuals were dead while 15 others were injured. 

Gunshots were also reported at Dilausan Central Elementary School in Lanao del Sur on Monday, around 10:31 a.m., according to election watchdog Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting. 

Polling precincts are open until 7 p.m. on Monday. Many BARMM voters lined up as early as 5 a.m. for the early voting period for senior citizens, pregnant women, and persons with disabilities. /jpv