A building collapses after a 7.7 magnitude quake struck Myanmar on Friday (March 28, 2025). The Department of Health on Saturday (March 29) said three Philippine Emergency Medical Assistance Teams are ready to help in the post-earthquake response. (Xinhua photo)
The Philippine government has reaffirmed its commitment to regional solidarity, with three Emergency Medical Assistance Teams (PEMATs) from the Department of Health (DOH) on standby to provide humanitarian aid in the wake of a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar and Thailand.
Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa announced on Saturday that the PEMATs are prepared for immediate deployment once international coordination protocols are completed and a formal request for assistance is received from the affected countries.
“We are ready to assist our ASEAN neighbors. The DOH is in constant communication with the Office of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. as we monitor developments and await instructions for possible deployment,” Herbosa said.
Demonstrating the Philippines’ growing capacity to support international disaster response, the DOH has previously sent PEMATs abroad—including to Turkey in 2023—proving its reliability as a partner in humanitarian missions.
The current PEMATs include teams from the Jose B. Lingad Memorial General Hospital, Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital and Sanitarium, and the Eastern Visayas Medical Center. All are classified as Type 1 Fixed Emergency Medical Teams by the World Health Organization (WHO), capable of delivering outpatient trauma and non-trauma care during daylight hours, as well as conducting community-based health services and investigations.
Following a rigorous verification process in September 2024, PEMAT Metro Manila, PEMAT Luzon, and PEMAT Visayas were awarded the WHO Emergency Medical Team badge, officially recognizing their capacity for international deployment. These designations—WHO EMT #44, #45, and #46 respectively—were granted in collaboration with WHO, the Singapore Emergency Medical Team, and Japan Disaster Relief.
This readiness to mobilize reflects the Philippines’ dedication to humanitarian values and its role as a responsive neighbor in times of crisis.
According to the United States Geological Survey, the earthquake has been classified under a “red alert” level due to its potential for high casualties and severe damage. As of Saturday morning, Myanmar’s State Administration Council reported 694 deaths, 1,670 injuries, and 68 individuals still missing.
Secretary Herbosa emphasized, “The DOH is fully prepared to deploy our medical teams to Myanmar and Thailand should the need arise. We stand ready to help.”