MANILA, Oct. 18 -- The Department of Health (DOH) has activated a Code White alert in anticipation of the effects of Tropical Storm Ramil.

"Idineklara ng Department of Health ang Code White Alert kaugnay ng inaasahang pag-landfall ng Bagyong Ramil ngayong hapon (The DOH has declared a Code White alert in relation to the expected landfall of Ramil this afternoon)," it said on Saturday.

Under Code White, the DOH will closely monitor its operations center and preposition necessary medicine and medical equipment for rapid emergency response.

Health Emergency Response Teams, it said, are ready for immediate deployment to provide immediate assistance to severely hit regions.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services ...