Six “We Heal As One” Centers with 1,500 beds were built in just a span of one week in the National Capital Region and Clark in Central Luzon.
Through the joint efforts of the national government and the private sector, these facilities will be able to accommodate 1,500 patients with mild or no symptoms of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
QUARANTINE CENTER –Department of Public Works & Highways (DPWH) officials on Thursday conducted the final inspection of 294 hospital beds that have been put in the cubicles at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City which will be soon opened as a quarantine center for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients. The DPWH team who
conducted the inspection were spokesperson Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo, Regional Director Ador Canlas, and National Capital 5 Region assistant regional director Juby Cordon. (Ali Vicoy / MANILA BULLETIN)
Finished in just one week or less are the Ninoy Aquino Stadium and Rizal Memorial Stadium at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, the Philippine International Convention Center Forum Halls, and the World Trade Center in the National Capital Region; the ASEAN Convention Center in Clark, Pampanga; and the National Government Administrative Center in New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac.
“The fast-tracking of these facilities is a display of bayanihan spirit, and we thank the private sector for supporting the government in this initiative,” Secretary Mark Villar of the Department of Public Works and Highways said.
All the facilities have air-conditioned cubicles with plug-in outlets, free food for patients, and medical staff, free Internet connection, and round-the-clock medical assistance.
“That’s the kind of scale we are building to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the communities and decongest our hospitals so we can treat all patients in the best and most effective way possible,” said Presidential Adviser for Flagship Programs and Projects and Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) President and CEO Vince Dizon.
Next to be converted into quarantine facilities are the Philippine Arena in Bulacan, the PhilSports Arena or ULTRA in Pasig, and the Filinvest Tent in Alabang, Muntinlupa. The Philippine Arena alone can accommodate more than 2,000 patients.
The facilities, designed by hospital architect Dan Lichuaco, will be manned by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Medical Corps and Philippine National Police (PNP) Health Service.
All frontline healthcare workers assigned in these centers will be well-protected by providing them with the necessary equipment and supplies. Frontliners will also be given proper accommodation near close to the facilities.
The national government partnered with the private sector in this initiative, namely: the Razon Group (Prime Metro BMD Corporation and the Bloomberry Cultural Foundation, Inc.), EEI Corporation, Villar Group of Companies, the Ayala Group (AC Energy, Ayala Land, Makati Development Corporation), Filinvest, Investment & Capital Corporation of the Philippines, Aboitiz, World Trade Center Metro Manila, Lina Group of Companies, Megawide, Meralco, PLDT, Smart Communications, Globe Telecom, D.M. Consunji, Inc., the Concepcion Industrial Corporation, and Pacific Paint (Boysen) Philippines, Inc.