Ship terminal turned Covid-19 treatment facility launched

MANILA – A passenger ship terminal converted into a treatment facility for persons infected with coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) is ready to accept patients, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said on Tuesday.

The DOTr said the facility, located at the Eva Macapagal Super Terminal in Pier 15, underwent non-stop construction works since Monday last week and was finished ahead of schedule by two days.

The treatment facility has a total of 211 cubicles distributed in different zones, to accommodate patients with mild, advanced, and severe Covid-19 infections, the department said.

The facility is complete with hospital beds, desks, chairs, portable lavatories, cargo containers for showers, and open-air dining facilities.

Other features include airtight doors to prevent airborne pathogens outside the facility, air-conditioning, and a waterfront “where patients will be allowed to enjoy sunlight and fresh ocean breeze.”

The facility will be manned by personnel from the Department of Health (DOH), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Philippine Ports Authority.

While the facility is located beside the two quarantine ships for overseas Filipino workers, it will be operated separately.

Those who are housed inside the quarantine ships do not manifest Covid-19 symptoms but are required to undergo a 14-day quarantine.

On Monday, the DOTr said the quarantine ships, which provide free accommodation for OFWs who were not provided separate accommodation by their manning agencies, will mark down the prices of goods in its mini-mart by as much as 50 percent for certain items, aside from the provision of free drinking water and charging stations.