Lopez Group gives P100 million for quarantine terminals

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has received a P100 million donation from the Lopez Group of Companies to strengthen its efforts in containing the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

According to the DOTr, First Philippine Holdings Corp.  (FPHC) of the Lopez Group has expressed its support in addressing the pressing need to increase the limited capacity of the country’s health system.

FPHC said it was inspired by the approach taken by the agency in providing returning seafarers and other overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) with assistance in their mandatory quarantine and in some cases, with their medical treatment.

“It is heartwarming to know that the medical needs of our OFWs, our returning modern-day heroes, remain to be top-of-mind. This is the least we can do for a sector who has played a significant role in enabling our economy over the years, especially at this time that uncertainty hangs over their hearts and minds,” FPHC said in a letter to the DOTr.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said FPHC’s donation would be of great help to fund the needs of the agency, especially the maritime sector, in the operation of the quarantine ships and the quarantine terminals.

The DOTr earlier partnered with private shipping companies to convert passenger ships into temporary quarantine ships as authorities expect an influx of repatriates amid the coronavirus crisis.

The quarantine ships will serve as temporary accommodations for returning seafarers and other OFWs as they complete their 14-day quarantine as ordered by the Department of Health.

The ships will accommodate both asymptomatic persons and persons who have not undergone COVID-19 testing.