By Noreen Jazul and Mario Casayuran Hospitals in Metro Manila have made a collective call for the establishment of one or two facilities where all persons under investigation (PUIs) and patients diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) will be received, screened, and treated "when the allowable number of cases per hospital is exceeded." On March 20, the Adventist Medical Center, Medical Center Manila, Asian Hospital Medical Center, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, The Medical City, Cardinal Santos Medical Center, Fatima University, Medical Center, Makati Medical Center, University of the East Ramon, Magsaysay Medical Center, Manila Doctors Hospital through the Philippine College of Physicians and Philippine College have a sink or running water? So, our biggest provision for the shelter is being able to shower, wash, and do the laundry, too,” she told the Manila Bulletin in an interview. Dowling said the shelter will accommodate individuals from 6 p.m. until 6 a.m. daily and they can also avail of free breakfast and dinner. “They come at 6 p.m. to sleep and eat then leave every morning 6 a.m. to work, tapos balik next day. Overnight shelter siya but we need to clean, disinfect, and prepare food and supplies,” she added. (The come at 6 p.m. to sleep and eat then leave morning 6 a.m. to work then they will come back the next day. This is an overnight shelter but we need to clean, disinfect, and prepare food and supplies.) Most dwellers are scrap dealers who mostly earn profit from collecting various types of items to be sold to junk shops. But since the crisis threatens the health of especially vulnerable individuals like them, Dowling recognizes the need to help them. “It’s free. They pay nothing. Also, one guy named Ed is a hairstylist, so he even offered he will cut hair later,” she added. Though her shop will remain closed for business operations until April 12, she said it is nothing compared to being of help to those in need. In fact, on Thursday, she already accommodated nine individuals. In the weeks to follow, she plans to open another space and even her parking area to accommodate more homeless people. “I would encourage business owners to focus on your community and get your customers involved. Most of our donations are from people in this area who buy bread and popsicles from us. When people are given the opportunity, they often want to really contribute,” she said.