MANILA — Health Secretary Ted Herbosa on Monday said he has asked government hospitals to identify "fire hazards".

This comes after another fire incident at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) in Manila early Monday morning.

"Inutusan ko lahat ng ospital namin na mag-identify ng tinatawag na fire hazard. Dala iyan ng mga fire hazard. Alam ko stock room na naman ito... Mukhang stock room na naman or lounge yata ng mga doktor. So very important iyan, iyong mga cellphone na naiiwan," Herbosa said in a press conference.

"Kadalasan, carelessness. Kung minsan, mga electric fan na iniwang nakabukas, lumabas iyong doktor, may emergency. Kung minsan iyon ang nag-o-overheat... Alam ko ang PGH, talagang after the 2 sunog, pinaigting nila. Ako I take this opportunity to remind my other two hospitals," he added.

Meanwhile, Herbosa assured that all government hospitals are ready to accept patients who have been evacuated due to the fire.

He also stressed the "no balance billing" for indigents that is being implemented in DOH hospitals.

"Hindi naman din natin ililipat sa isang ospital lang. Kasi malaki ang PGH. Idi-distribute ko iyan. Iyon lang ang problema, mapapalayo sila kung malapit sila sa PGH... Pero wala tayong choice. Kung safety ang pag-uusapan we have to move the patients na naka-confine pa. May certain number, dini-discharge kaagad. Kung pwede na umuwi, pinapauwi na ng PGH kasi parang pangatlong sunog na yata ito this year," Herbosa said.