By Mario Casayuran
Opposition Senator Francis N. Pangilinan expressed concern Wednesday over the overcapacity and need for more spaces in hospitals to take care of the ever increasing number of suspected or confirmed coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients.
Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan (Photo from Kiko Pangilinan website / kikopangilinan.com / MANILA BULLETIN)
For the orderly implementation of protocols in handling COVID-19 cases, Pangilinan strongly suggested the following:
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Convert military hospitals such as the V. Luna Medical Center and Veterans’ Memorial Medical Center; and Quezon Institute into COVID-19 Centers not only for serious cases and COVID-19 cases but also for dialysis, emergency cases, and even cancer patients.
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Use the big spaces of Rizal Memorial, Ultra, and Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) as makeshift isolation centers for those with mild symptoms.
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Self-imposed quarantine for those who tested negative but were exposed to persons with COVID-19.
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Stay at home and follow social distancing in your communities.
Pangilinan was not able to attend last Monday’s Senate special session because he is on self-quarantine.
‘’These should be followed for the sake of our countrymen who might get infected,’’ Pangilinan said.
‘’Those made financially-disabled as a result of the lockdown should be given cash and food for the next two months,’’ he added.