By Chito Chavez The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) reiterated its call on Sunday for the local government units (LGU) to set up their respective isolation facilities for the use of novel coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) patients. Department of Interior and Local Government (MANILA BULLETIN) This statement was issued after around 25 percent of the LGUs have yet to comply with the DILG directive which is in preparation for the expected surge of COVID-19 patients as mass testing is being conducted and many hospitals are already congested. DILG Undersecretary Epimaco Densing in a radio interview estimated that around 75 percent of the LGUs in the country have installed their own isolation facilities for COVID-19 patients. The Office of the President in support for the LGUs in the midst of the health crisis has approved the P30.824-billion fund or the Bayanihan Grant to Cities and Municipalities to boost their capability to provide food and non-food assistance. The national government has also in the process of turning venues like Philippine International Convention Center Forum Halls and the World Trade Center in Pasay City into quarantine facilities. Other venues like the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC)-run Philippine Arena had also assisted the government and allowed the use of the venue for COVID-19 patients. The Quezon City government opened two temporary quarantine facilities for COVID-19 patients. Mayor Joy Belmonte said the city government established Hope-1, a 49-room alternative medical facility designed to isolate and monitor identified PUIs and COVID-19 patients. Later, the 110 bed capacity Hope II quarantine facility was opened at the sprawling Quezon City University (QCU) Complex in Novaliches. As of April 18 Hope 1 is fully occupied with confirmed and suspected COVID-19 patients while Hope 2 has still 105 beds available for their use.