By Noreen Jazul
In an effort to decongest hospitals in and around Metro Manila caring for COVID-19 patients, the government has started converting event venues and other public buildings into isolation facilities.
(MANILA BULLETIN)
The Department of Public Works and Highways said it is converting the following buildings, venues, and open spaces into COVID-19 health facilities, which will be called “We Heal As One” centers:
1 Amoranto Stadium (Quezon City)
2 Quezon Institute (Quezon City)
3 Quezon City Circle (Quezon City)
4 Veterans Memorial Medical Center (Quezon City)
5 Rizal Memorial Complex (Manila)
6 Philippine International Convention Center (Pasay City)
7 Work Trade Center (Pasay City)
8 Duty Free Philippines (Parañaque City)
9 Food Terminal Inc. (Pasay City)
10 Philippine Sports Complex (Pasig City)
11 Filinvest Tent (Muntinlupa)
Venues like Rizal Memorial Complex (RMC), the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), and the World Trade Center (WTC) will be equipped with more than 100 beds.
Among the three venues, the WTC has the largest bed capacity with 530 beds, followed by the PICC with 294 beds, and the RMC with 112 beds.
Outside Metro Manila, the DPWH pinpointed large venues such as the Philippine Arena in Bulacan, the ASEAN Convention Center in Clark Freeport Zone, and the National Government Administrative Center Building (NGAC) and New Clark City Athlete’s Village in Tarlac, for conversion into isolation facilities.
The NGAC Building has one of the biggest bed capacities for facilities in Region 3, with a total of 1,000 beds. Meanwhile, the Athlete’s Village will designate 523 rooms for COVID-19 patients.
The ASEAN Convention Center, meanwhile, has a 200-bed capacity.
The DPWH earlier said it is eyeing to finish the construction of all COVID-19 facilities within 10 days.
True to its promise, the DPWH has already finished building its “We Heal As One" centers at 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, the ASEAN Convention Center, and the NGAC.
The National Task Force Against COVID-19 for its part has been continuously monitoring the status of the health facilities.