The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is working on the modification of three (3) mega tents at the Philippine Arena to be used as quarantine facility for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients.
Secretary Mark Villar sent on Monday, April 13, 2020, the DPWH Task Force on Augmentation of Healthcare Facilities headed by Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain to assess the three (3) mega tents inside the Philippine Arena’s Ciudad de Victoria complex in Bocaue, Bulacan.
The INC is also offering its Garden Suites, also part of the Ciudad de Victoria estate, as separate housing facilities for assigned health workers.
The mega tent facilities at Philippine Arena were offered by the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) to help the government curb the spread of COVID-19.
Atty. Glicerio “GP” Santos IV, Chief Operating Officer of the complex, showed to the DPWH team the three (3) mega tents that would be turned into quarantine facilities for about 440 COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms and asymptomatic patients.
Secretary Villar said that based on the assessment of the DPWH Task Force, the existing steel frame and other partition materials in the mega tents have to be modified to ensure that it complies with the Department of Health (DOH) standards for health facilities. With current power for lighting and air-conditioning being supplied by generator set, fixed electrical power with transformer of about 500 kva capacity from Meralco and augmented water supply are also needed in every mega tent, the DPWH said.
The DPWH Region 3 is tapped to extend manpower assistance in the modification works of quarantine facility in Philippine Arena complex at the soonest time possible.
The support of private contractors and other partners similar to that provided at PICC, World Trade Center and Rizal Memorial Coliseum would consequently speed up the development of facility at Philippine Arena to meet the needs for urgent health care.
The DPWH Task Force and DPWH Region 3 is now preparing the design plan for all development activities at the said site and will refer to hospital design specialist Architect Dan Lichauco for comments and approval.
The INC is also offering its Garden Suites, likewise part of the Ciudad de Victoria estate, as separate housing facilities for assigned health workers.
Under the Bayanihan to Heal as One Law, the DPWH has been ordered by President Rodrigo Duterte to assist the DOH in the establishment, construction, and operation of temporary medical facilities.
DPWH is also preparing to convert the Philippine Institute of Sports Multi-Purpose Arena or Philsports Arena (formerly Ultra) in Pasig City into quarantine center for healthcare monitoring and treatment of 156 patients.