Filipino families need more than ever to prepare emergency go bags with essential supplies that could save lives especially after a recent series of earthquakes, according to Philhealth Care Inc. (PhilCare)
The health maintenance organization noted that the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology has recorded an average of 20 earthquakes daily. Most of these are minor events, but with the constant threat of a major tremor that could devastate densely populated urban centers.
PhilCare said a well-supplied go bag could help save lives during the critical first 72 hours after a major seismic event.
Citing Department of Health protocols, PhilCare said every household should have at hand first aid kits, food and water, important documents, hygiene supplies, basic clothing, technical equipment like charged power banks and radios, and emergency cash. These items can mean the difference between life and death when hospitals are overwhelmed and infrastructure is damaged.
‘Earthquakes strike without warning, and having a go bag ensures you are ready to leave quickly with essential items for safety and survival,’ said Eilyn Evora-Ayuste, medical director at PhilCare.
‘Being prepared today can make a big difference tomorrow-it helps protect you and your loved ones by keeping important supplies within reach, anytime, anywhere,’ Ayuste said.
What a first aid kit should have
PhilCare recommends that first aid kits should include alcohol, band aids, povidone-iodine, wound ointment, paracetamol, mefenamic acid and maintenance medicines for family members with chronic conditions. These are supplies that become critically scarce in the immediate aftermath of disasters when pharmacies are damaged and hospitals are operating beyond capacity.
‘When a major earthquake strikes, our members with chronic illnesses face a double threat: the immediate danger of the disaster itself, and the risk of interrupted access to their daily maintenance medications,’ Ayuste said.
Beyond medical supplies, PhilCare emphasized the critical importance of securing vital documents in waterproof containers, including birth certificates, IDs, insurance policies and medical records. These are documents that families will need to access healthcare services, claim insurance and rebuild their lives after a disaster.
Regarding this, PhilCare is promoting a dual-documentation strategy. That is, keep original or certified copies of essential documents in earthquake go bags and maintain digital copies accessible. For PhilCare members, they may use the Member Gateway platform to ensure that even if physical documents are destroyed, families can still access critical information needed for recovery.
The company is also ready with remote medical consultations even during disasters when transportation is disrupted or hospitals are overwhelmed. INQ