A 132-bed “We Heal as One” isolation and treatment center in Pasig City for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients was completed in three days by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Public Works Secretary Mark Villar said the DPWH expeditiously worked at the empty Philippine Sports Arena or popularly known as ULTRA and repurposed in into an isolation and treatment facility by setting up cubicles as makeshift rooms.
“Built in super quick time from April 15 to 17, I am truly proud of the demonstrated teamwork and responsiveness of DPWH.”
“Built in super quick time from April 15 to 17, I am truly proud of the demonstrated teamwork and responsiveness of DPWH,” said Villar.
Construction of the facility at ULTRA started at 8 A.M. of April 15 and was originally intended to be finished on April 19, 2020.
The DPWH Taskforce to Facilitate Augmentation of Local and National Health Facilities formed by the public works chief helped and coordinated the repurposing of ULTRA by dividing the area into three clusters for simultaneous activities.
The DPWH worked round-the-clock to fast track its completion.
Carpenters, electricians, laborers and other workers from the NCR District Engineering Offices were divided into three groups.
Each group was assigned to fabricate and install 44 cubicles per cluster area:
Group 1 – North Manila DEO, Malabon-Navotas DEO and Metro Manila 3 DEO;
Group 2 – Quezon City 1 DEO, Quezon City 2 DEO and Metro Manila 1 DEO; and
Group 3 – Las Pinas – Muntinlupa DEO, South Manila DEO and Metro Manila 2 DEO
Two nurses’ stations were also completed in record time.
The “We Heal As One” Center at ULTRA, Pasig City is part of the government’s effort to repurpose any available government or private structures into health facilities, Villar said.