The memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the construction of a mobile field hospital and drive-thrrough vaccination site at Rizal Park's Burnham Green in the city of Manila has been inked, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said Wednesday, April 28.
Signing the deal in a virtual ceremony were DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, National Parks Development Committee (NPDC) Executive Director Cecille Lorenzana-Romero, and Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso.
According to Puyat, the Manila Mega Field Hospital will be constructed at the 16,327-square meter area of the Burnham Green located at the western section of Rizal Park.
The mobile field hospital will augment the bed capacity of hospitals for moderate and severe cases of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) with its default capacity of 336 beds, plus the “capacity to expand should the need arise.”
The MOA likewise covers the construction of a drive-through vaccination site at Independence Road, commonly known as the Parade Grounds of the Quirino Grandstand. Like Rizal Park, the granstand is also under the management of the NPDC.
Once the drive-through facility is up and running, it will boost the Manila local government unit's (LGU) inoculation capacity to 450 people per day.
“Both the mobile field hospital and drive-through vaccination site will be open to all, regardless of whether you are a resident and non-resident of Manila. These two endeavors will contribute significantly to scaling up the nation’s COVID-19 response in light of the current surge in cases and the anticipated arrival of more vaccines,” Puyat said.
Expected to be completed in two months, the construction, development, and operation of the temporary facilities will be shouldered by the LGU of Manila.
"I hope that this collaboration between different national agencies and the Manila LGU will inspire other LGUs around the country to work with the national government in developing innovative solutions that will bring about a swift end of this pandemic and allow us to embark on the road to recovery,” Puyat said.