Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Mark Villar said they are looking to open for operation within this week the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila which is one of several state-owned buildings to be converted into temporary health facilities for the treatment and monitoring of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients.
“By this week, we anticipate, gusto na namin gawing operational ang Rizal (Memorial) Sports Complex (We want the Rizal Sports Complex to be operational) within this week,” Villar said in an interview over dzBB.
Villar said the Ninoy Aquino Stadium located inside the sports complex can house 112 patients.
“The conversion of PICC Forum Halls and the World Trade Center (WTC) is expected to be completed within 10 days.”
The public works chief said the conversion of the other two venues: Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) Forum Halls and the World Trade Center (WTC) both located in Pasay City is expected to be completed within 10 days.
Both venues can house at least 824 patients.
“Hopefully in 10 days, at most. Ang target talaga kasi namin is less than 10 days kasi para ma-open agad ang mga facilities natin (Our target is less than 10 days because we want to open the facilities immediately),” the public works head added.
Villar said the project is being done in coordination with the private sector, thus, it will be of minimal cost to the government.
“DPWH, EEI and Villar Group of Companies are working to accomplish the redesigning and conversion of Forum Halls 1 to 3 into COVID facility within two weeks period,” Villar said in an earlier statement.
He added that once the conversion of the PICC Forum Halls is fully completed, its operation will be for the treatment and monitoring of patients experiencing mild respiratory symptoms (fever, cough, colds, etc.) and will be under the supervision of the Department of Health.
“As most of health facilities in Metro Manila have reached or nearing maximum capacity, the immediate conversion of PICC Forum Halls will significantly provide an optimal isolation space for monitoring of people infected by COVID-19. We want to decongest the hospitals,” Villar added.
As directed by the National Task Force COVID-19, the DPWH will accredit construction workers who will work on the three facilities identified for purposes of quarantine or isolation. Such accredited workers shall be provided with quarantine pass to be exempted from the government’s strict home quarantine policy.
“DPWH is also looking at other venues that may be converted to health facilities.”
He added that the agency is also looking at other venues that may be converted to health facilities.
“May open area ang Cultural Center of the Philippines complex and Rizal (Memorial Sports Complex), may open grounds kung kailangan ng additional (facilities). Madali naman magtayo ng tent, madagdagan ang capacity kaagad. Ready kami, ginagawa lahat para ma-augment facilities natin pero sana naman ayaw din natin na sana hindi na umabot pa na dapat kailangan natin gamitin ang lahat infrastructures pero at least, ready kami sa lahat ng scenarios (The Cultural Center of the Philippines complex has an open area. The Rizal Memorial Sports Complex has open grounds which can serve as additional facilities. It’s easy to build tents so we can immediately increase capacity. We are ready. We are doing everything to augment the facilities but we also do not want a scenario where we need to use all infrastructures. But at least, we are ready for everything,” Villar said.