Fifteen quarantine facilities for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients will be constructed in various areas in the Bicol Region, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said.

The 15 quarantine facilities with 332-bed capacity will be built in Albay 3rd District, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur 2nd to 5th Districts, and Masbate 2nd District.

According to Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar, a total of P76.17 million was set aside by the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) to fund the construction of the 15 health facilities in the region.

He added that the 15 isolation facilities are the initial batch as they aim to construct a total of 36 health facilities.

“A total amount of P302.16 million was requested to fund 36 health facility sites identified by concerned local government units and the Department of Health in coordination with DPWH which is in charge of procurement and implementation,” Villar said.

DPWH has completed one 40-bed capacity unit isolation facility at the Multi-Purpose Building, Goa Central School in Goa, Camarines Sur; one 17-bed capacity quarantine facility at Polangui Central School in Polangui, Albay; and another quarantine facility with 18-bed capacity at the Barangay Calzada Infirmary in Guinobatan, Albay.

An 80-bed capacity healthcare facility at the Jessie M. Robredo Coliseum in Barangay Triangulo, Naga City, popularly known as “Ligtas COVID Center,” has also been completed. It features two swab testing stations and two nurses’ stations. Patients are also provided with individual cubicles, electric fans, and electric outlets in the completed facility.

The secretary said on Oct. 15 that 10,000 more quarantine facilities are expected to be constructed around the Philippines by the end of the year, as they aim to bring to 20,000 the quarantine facilities completed for coronavirus disease cases in the country this year.