Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary and isolation czar Mark A. Villar has turned over a 54-bed capacity quarantine facility for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients to Bislig City, Surigao del Sur.
Citing a report from Surigao del Sur Second District Engineer Noel R. Oclarit, Villar said the facility houses a three-unit building that has been duly classified under the Department of Health's (DOH) plan and specifications.
Based on the guidelines from the health department, Villar said Building A will serve as the staff house, kitchen, and dining area, while buildings B and C will house male and female patients, respectively.
"The facility will meet the demands for healthcare utilization and provide comfort and security for patients while on recovery from the COVID-19 virus," said Villar, who is also a COVID survivor.
The DPWH chief has been pushing for the speedy establishment of isolation or healthcare facilities nationwide as part of the department's contribution towards fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.
As isolation czar, Villar is in charge of overseeing the country's quarantine facilities n line with the government's response to the ongoing health crisis.
The Surigao del Sur health facility also has 13 air-conditioning units, 16 closed-circuit television cameras, a cistern tank, solar-powered LED street lights, as well as floodlights and furnishings.