7 ‘mega community quarantine’ facilities completed: DPWH

FILE: Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar at Barangay Sagonsongon in Marawi City on March 15, 2018. ROBINSON NIÑAL JR./PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Wednesday reported that it has completed seven “mega community quarantine” facilities for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) patients, in partnership with private companies.

In an accomplishment report, DPWH Secretary Mark Villar said these health facilities also called “We Heal as One Centers” can accommodate a total of 1,976 people and are now accepting patients. It also houses returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who are undergoing a mandatory 14-day quarantine.

The patient care facilities are at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila; PICC Forum in Pasay City; Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila; World Trade Center (WTC) in Pasay City; ASEAN Convention Center, Clark, Pampanga; National Government Administrative Center (NGAC), New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac and Philippine Sports Complex (Ultra), Pasig City.

The first facility which was completed was at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium last April 6 with 112-bed capacity, was operational since April 14 and has admitted 66 patients.

The facility is being handled by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Medical Team. The implementing offices are the DPWH, Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) together with Razon Group of Companies, Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation.

The PICC-Forum facility with 294 beds finished construction on April 8. Set to admit 50 patients from the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), it is being handled by the Philippine National Police (PNP) Medical Team. The implementing office is the DPWH together with Villar Group of Companies and EEI Corporation.

The WTC with 502 beds and Rizal Memorial Coliseum facilities with 98 beds were both completed on April 9. The former is host to 62 OFWs from Abu Dhabi and 336 Filipino repatriates from Maldives, who are undergoing the mandatory quarantine while the latter will be operational after the construction of the septic tank which is set to be completed by the second week of May.

The WTC facility is being handled by the AFP Medical Team and the implementing offices are the DPWH, BCDA in coordination with Ayala Group of Companies while the implementing offices of the Rizal Memorial Coliseum facility are the DPWH, BCDA in cooperation with Razon Group of Companies.

The ASEAN Convention Center in Pampanga, which has 150 beds, was completed on April 12, is awaiting referrals from the Department of Health (DOH) for suspect and probable cases of Covid-19. The facility is being managed by medical staff hired by the BCDA and Clark Development Corporation and the implementing office is BCDA.

With 688 beds, the NGAC facility was completed on April 12 and is ready to accommodate Covid-positive patients and awaiting referrals from the DOH. It is a designated center for patients with mild or no symptoms. It will be managed by medical staff hired by the BCDA and Clark Development Corporation and the implementing office is BCDA.

The construction of the Ultra quarantine facility was finished on April 18 that can accommodate 132 patients and is set to be turned over to PNP on April 30. The implementing office is the DPWH in partnership with Villar Group of Companies.

The report added that there are two other health facilities that are currently being constructed — the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan, and Filinvest Tent in Muntinlupa City with a total of 408 beds.

The Iglesia ni Cristo (INC)-owned property has three big tents, and Ciudad de Victoria with 300 beds. The implementing office is the DPWH in coordination with Villar Group of Companies, and MVP Group of Companies.

The Filinvest Tent with 108 beds, which started mobilization and layout on April 28, is expected to be completed in 10 days or earlier.

The implementing office is DPWH in cooperation with EEI/Filinvest.