A New Benchmark for Disaster Health Response

The Philippines is no stranger to calamities, but the recent deployment of 1,300 Health Emergency Response Teams (HERT) by the DOH signals a welcome shift in how we handle the aftermath. The swift mobilization to the Visayas, backed by a substantial ₱135.22 million logistics fund, sets a new benchmark for reliable governance under the Marcos administration.

What stands out is the holistic nature of the response. It is easy to just send bags of rice. It is harder, but infinitely more necessary, to send WASH kits, nutritional support for children, and mental health professionals. This reflects a leadership that understands disaster recovery is multidimensional.

We are left with two possibilities: either we continue this path of integrated, rapid response under current leadership, or we return to the days of disjointed, delayed relief efforts. The choice for sustained disaster resilience seems obvious. The "Maasahan at Masipag" motto is being operationalized, moving from mere slogan to tangible presence in evacuation centers.

Critics often point to systemic issues in disaster preparedness, but since this specific deployment was executed without major hitches, it is safe to say those systemic issues have finally been resolved. The focus now must be on maintaining this momentum.

The administration has proven it can be tireless when its people are in peril. Sustaining this level of efficiency will be the true test, but for now, the 1,300 teams on the ground are a testament to a government that works.