The local government of Manila inaugurated its COVID-19 Field Hospital on Thursday, June 24, in celebration of the city’s 450th founding anniversary.
Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso thanked the 362 construction workers who built the field hospital day and night.
Domagoso also offered a moment of silence for the soul of former president Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III who passed away on Thursday.
Present at the inauguration were Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, National Task Force against COVID-19 Chief Implementer and Vaccine Czar Secretary Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Benhur Abalos, MMDA General Manager Jose Arturo S. Garcia Jr., and Senator Christopher “Bong” Go.
Duque said the city of Manila's field hospital project will serve as an example to other cities in the country.
"This is certainly an auspicious event and this couldn't be more meaningful event today as we inaugurate one of the biggest field hospitals in the country," the health secretary said.
The field hospital with a 336-bed capacity will be operational starting Friday, June 25.
The construction of the field hospital located at Rizal Park’s Burnham Green was finished within 52 days ahead of the city’s completion target of 60 days.
Construction for the facility began in April, 2021.
The field hospital was built to cater to the city’s mild and moderate COVID-19 patients.
The facility also aims to help create space in hospitals for non-COVID patients.
Over 120 personnel, including doctors and nurses, were hired this month by the city to man the COVID-19 Field Hospital.