DPWH readies 3 facilities for COVID fight

MANILA, Philippines — Three large facilities for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients in Metro Manila, Pampanga and Tarlac are ready for use this week.

Public Works Secretary Mark Villar yesterday said the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) COVID-19 facility is already complete and ready for turnover to the Philippine National Police (PNP) Medical Corps.

“The DPWH, with the support of private firms EEI Corp. and the Villar Group of Companies, have completed the construction of the health facility at PICC Forum Halls in just seven days, ahead of the 10-day deadline imposed by President Duterte,” the Department of Public Works and Highways chief said.

Villar said the facility has 294 patient cubicles, six nurse stations and six smart houses outside the forum building.

It will also have a mobile pharmacy and a mobile X-ray machine. The PNP Medical Corps take charge of manning the newly converted PICC facility.

PNP chief Gen. Archie Gamboa vowed to provide 24/7 healthcare to patients using the facility.

“The PNP, with our corps of medical and healthcare personnel, is honored to take this crucial responsibility in our national efforts to stand our ground against COVID-19 and heal the land of this contagion,” Gamboa said.

The fully air-conditioned health facility at PICC complex will cater to patients with mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19.

Meanwhile, officials of the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) and Clark Development Corp. (CDC) held simulation exercises and walk-throughs at the ASEAN Convention Center in Clark, Pampanga and the New Clark City Government Building in Capas, Tarlac. 

Presidential Adviser for Flagship Programs and Projects and BCDA president Vince Dizon and Dr. Maria Clemencita Dobles, head of the CDC Health and Sanitation Division, led the simulation at the two facilities that initially will be able to accommodate 1,000 patients with mild and no symptoms referred from hospitals in Central Luzon. 

The New Clark City Athletes’ Village, on the other hand, will be designated as a facility for persons under investigation (PUIs) from Tarlac and Pampanga.

The conversion of the facilities dubbed as “We Heal As One Centers” is part of the national government’s efforts to reduce the community spread of COVID-19, decongest hospitals and to provide the best and most effective treatments to patients. 

Jaime de Jesus Jr. of Macabebe, Pampanga, one of the nurses hired for the COVID facilities in Clark, said he wants to be of service to his fellow Kapampangans.

Dr. Christine Polintan-Lao, a doctor of seven years and resident of Tarlac, said the frontliners’ passion to serve outweighs the risk of COVID-19. 

Presidential yacht ready

Meanwhile, the presidential yacht BRP Ang Pangulo is also now ready to accept COVID-19 patients, the Philippine Navy said.

Naval Public Affairs Office chief, Lt. Commander Maria Christina Roxas said necessary works to transform the vessel into a floating quarantine facility have been completed.

Roxas said officers and enlisted personnel aboard ACS-25 spearheaded the transformation of the VIP compartments of the ship into COVID-19 dedicated medical ward and patient rooms that can accommodate 28 patients with five medical personnel. Three exclusive compartments were prepared by Navy personnel for patients, with temporary dividers in place observing a three-meter distance between them. 

Roxas said patients and medical staff are given different access points and the crew will remain onboard while the ship is being utilized as a quarantine facility.

All entry points from the crew’s billeting area and other compartments from the temporary medical facility and patient rooms have also been sealed off, she said. – With Michael Punongbayan