By Nonoy Lacson
ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Inter-agency Task Force on the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has completed the renovation of Zamboanga City's COVID-19 Center, which is now ready to accept patients from this city and of the region.
Brig. Gen. Anthony Cacayuran, commander of the 54th Engineer Brigade converted the four-storey Out-Patient Department building of the Zamboanga City Medical Center (ZCMC) as site for quarantine and isolation area for COVID-19 patients.
Cacayuran said the renovation of the building was done with the aid of some stakeholders started on March 26.
He said tools and equipment were provided by the54th Engineer Brigade, which demolished the walls, fabricated steel window grills, and installed steel studding.
"With the inspiring guidance and clear direction of Armed Forces of the Philippines-Western Mindanao Command (AFP-WestMinCom) Commander Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, we did our job efficiently," said Cacayuran said.
The project was also facilitated by Jaydrick Tan of SoPhil, Inc.
"With the convergence of efforts of all stakeholders, including the hardware owners who provided the construction materials, we were able to bring the renovation of the facility into reality," Tan added.
Dr. Afdal Kunting of the ZCMC also expressed his appreciation to the assistance provided by the military to their fellow front liners, particularly the doctors and nurses, in the battle against the COVID-19.
“The Zamboanga City Medical Center wishes to express our heartfelt appreciation to you and the AFP-WestMinCom in helping our hospital prepare for the enormous fight against the coronavirus pandemic,” said Dr. Nida Casco Tan, Medical Center Chief II, Zamboanga City Medical Center.
“We are deeply grateful to the AFP-WestMinCom to swiftly responding to our call to renovate our Outpatient Department Building that will be converted into a COVID-19 Center,” Cacco-Tan added.