The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH-6) has turned over to local government units and hospitals in Western Visayas 17 COVID healthcare facilities to be used as isolation/quarantine areas for COVID-19 related cases and off-site dormitories for medical frontliners.
These are part of 33 isolation/quarantine facilities, off-site dormitories and makeshift quarantine facilities put up by DPWH-6 in the region in support to government response and preventive efforts against COVID-19, at a cost of P1.034 billion, according to DPWH-6 Information Officer Imee Grace B. Tantiado.
The makeshift quarantine facilities are actually four existing regional evacuation centers which were converted by DPWH-6 into such facilities. These are located in Guimaras, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, and Bacolod City.
Based on press reports shared by DPWH-6, the agency started in working out these facilities last year as it ramped up its efforts to help the government.
In the region, the projects have three categories, namely isolation or quarantine facilities for COVID-19 related cases, off-site dormitories for medical frontliners, and existing regional evacuation centers converted into makeshift quarantine facilities. The isolation/quarantine facilities and off-site dormitories are made from container vans.
An isolation/quarantine facility has air-conditioned isolation rooms with individual comfort rooms, nurse station, utility/electrical room, nurse quarters with comfort rooms, sanitation area, water tanks, standby generator and distribution power transformer.
The off-site dormitories are equipped with individual comfort rooms, dining and living area, sanitation area, water supply, kitchen and laundry area, utility/electrical room, and power supply system.
A makeshift isolation/quarantine facility has individual isolation cubicles inside the main evacuation center building equipped with bed, table and chair, trash bin, and individual lighting system. The facility also has a nurse station, working area for nurses and medical practitioners, mess hall, and room for medical supplies.
Data shared by the agency showed that 3 of these facilities are in Aklan, 2 in Antique, 4 in Roxas City, 1 in Capiz province, 3 in Guimaras, 5 in Iloilo City, 6 in Iloilo province, 5 in Bacolod City, and 8 in Negros Occidental province.
During the turnover of isolation/quarantine facilities in Bacolod City this month, DPWH-6 Regional Director Lea N. Delfinado said the facilities are a humble contribution of the Department in order to help curb the risk of exposing the patients to their family and the community while they are undergoing medical treatment.
All of the facilities have been completed and the others are set for formal turnover to recipient hospitals and LGUs, according to the agency.DPWH/JBG/JSC/PIA6
