The Marikina City local government signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with 10 hospitals for an indemnification and hospitalization fund for student-athletes who may incur sports-related injuries or accidents throughout the duration of the “Palarong Pambansa 2023" from July 29 to Aug. 5. Marikina Mayor Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro noted that this is the first time in the history of the Palaro that a local government has tapped medical institutions to provide services in case of injuries among participants and delegates. “The Indemnity Fund and the Hospitalization Fund will be both covered by Marikina City,” said Teodoro. The 10 partner hospitals include Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center (ARMMC), Marikina Valley Medical Center (MVMC), St. Vincent Hospital, St. Anthony Medical Center, Garcia General Hospital, St. Victoria Hospital, SDS Medical Center, P. Gonzales Hospital, Salve Regina Hospital, and St. Mattheus Hospital. Under the MOA, hospitals must provide medical and hospital management services to any sports-related injuries sustained within the period of the games. A special lane must be designated in their facilities for the athletes, coaches, officials, committee members, and organizers, who can be identified through their Palaro IDs. For the city’s fund liquidation, the hospitals must provide documentation of health records and expenditure of the Palaro participant. “The overall billing for all medical services rendered by the city shall be billed only after the consummation of the entire period as stipulated within, and shall be charged against the available fund of the Palaro 2023,” read the MOA.

Health, safety measures prepped

In anticipation of the expected influx of visitors for the “Palarong Pambansa” 2023, the local government also prepared health and safety measures to adequately respond to health emergencies, mitigate health risks, and protect the general public from the spread of Covid-19 during the week-long games. Teodoro announced that the local government will deploy over 1,000 health and safety protocol officers to monitor, maintain, and respond to any possible health-related concerns of players, coaches, and other staff. The officers will be stationed in 29 playing venues and 31 billeting schools during the games. Each team will be composed of doctors, nurses, and first aid responders who are highly trained to address emergency health issues. “They will be manning properly equipped medical stations situated at the playing venues and billeting schools. Ambulances are readily available on-site for emergencies requiring hospital attention,” said Teodoro. He noted that the city government is conducting regular fumigation and sanitation activities at the billeting schools and playing venues. “All billeting quarters have potable water while food is prepared according to strict health and sanitation standards to avoid food and water contamination,” Teodoro added.

Covid-19 treatment facilities

To safeguard the public from potential contraction and infection of Covid-19, the city government also prepared their facilities to provide testing and treatment to the delegates. The Temporary Treatment and Monitoring Facility in Bagong Sibol, Barangay Nangka can accommodate around 100 patients with confirmed asymptomatic or mild Covid cases. Delegates who will test positive for Covid will be isolated in this facility and will be given immediate medical attention and treatment, said Teodoro. The Marikina Swabbing Facility and the Marikina Molecular and Diagnostic Laboratory, both located in Bayan-Bayanan Avenue in Barangay Concepcion Uno, will also be able to administer antigen tests and RT-PCR tests to the delegates. In urgent cases, Teodoro said a swabbing team can also be dispatched to the location of the delegates.