A large-scale health and safety initiative of the Department Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Philippine Arena, MVP Group of Companies, and Villar Group was completed Wednesday, April 29, 2020 in a bid to isolate and provide optimal medical care against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Secretary Mark A. Villar said that the three big tents at the Iglesia Ni Cristo’s (INC) Philippine Arena Complex in Ciudad de Victoria, Bocaue, Bulacan were repurposed into 300-bed healthcare facilities through public-private sector partnership.
Secretary Villar recognized the bayanihan spirit shown by the multi-stakeholder group that put up the “We Heal As One” Center at the Philippine Arena.
The Villar Group of Companies provided essential equipment particularly hospital beds for patients including repatriated OFWs who will undergo mandatory 14-day facility-based quarantine against COVID-19.
Following the offer made by the INC to the government to utilize available facilities free of charge as quarantine site, DPWH immediatley coordinated with other concerned government agencies and private groups for the setting up of mega quarantine center within 10 days.
Upon instruction of Secretary Villar, planning and coordination were conducted by Senior Undersecretary Rafael C. Yabut, Chairperson of COVID-19 Coordination Committee; Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain, Head of Task Force to Facilitate Augmentation of Local/National Health Facilities; Regional Office 3 Director Roseller Tolentino; and other members of DPWH Task Force with Maligaya Development Corporation COO Atty. Glicerio “GP” Santos; DOH Assistant Secretary Leonita P. Gorgolon, and, IATF and other project stakeholders. The group supported by other members of DPWH Task Force and Region 3 District Engineers jointly undertook the conversion of three (3) big tents into healthcare center.
Secretary Villar recognized the bayanihan spirit shown by the multi-stakeholder group that put up the “We Heal As One” Center at the Philippine Arena which will be subject to final inspection by members of National Task Force and IATF-EID for acceptance and operation.
The modification works on three mega tents is based on the DOH-approved standard space of 3.05 square meters per patient with 92 bed cubicles installed at tent 1 with floor area of 26 meters by 105 meters, and 104 bed cubicles each for tents 2 and 3 with identical size of 50 meters by 60 meters.
Separate toilet facilities for health workers using 40-footer container vans, medical personnel’s mess hall, disinfecting tents, supply storage area, and air conditioning system have also been set-up in each of the three (3) isolation centers.
The MVP Group of Companies is providing free access for medical workers and patients to the Philippine Arena Quarantine Center via the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX); free use of Wi-Fi throughout the site via PLDT/SMART Communications; free connection to water supply from Maynilad Water Services; and free installation of power lines and connection to the Meralco grid.
“In this extraordinary time, I am in awe of the contributions of everyone in helping our nation to heal as one,” Secretary Villar said.