Setting up of the 300-bed capacity “We Heal As One” Center at the Philippine Arena Complex in Bocaue, Bulacan nears completion as the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) reached the sixth day of work on Saturday, April 25, for the quarantine facility.
Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain, head of DPWH Task Force on Augmentation of Local and National Health Facilities formed by Secretary Mark A. Villar, said that cubicles sized 3.05 square meters and (6) nurse stations were already assembled and painted at the three (3) big tents located at the Ciudad De Victoria estate of the Iglesia Ni Cristo in Bocaue, Bulacan.
Tent number 1 with floor space of 26 meters by 105 meters has 92 bed cubicles installed while tent numbers 2 and 3 with identical area of 50 meters by 60 meters have 104 bed cubicles in each tent, added Undersectetary Sadain.
The quarantine facility also involves the installation of three (3) 40-footer container vans as toilet facility of health workers, medical personnel’s mess hall, disinfecting tents, and supply storage area.
The DPWH Task Force together with Regional Office 3 headed by Director Roseller Tolentino targets to finished all civil works at the three (3) mega tents by Monday, April 27, 2020 - ahead of the April 29 schedule.
The final phase of activities for the mega quarantine center consists of the electrical layout and installations of hospital beds, curtains, and additional air conditioning units.
Upon the request made by the DPWH Task Force, engineers and linemen of Manila Electric Company (Meralco) are on the ground for the installation of poles, primary power lines, transformers, and other accessories to energize the premises of three (3) mega tents.
On behalf of Secretary Villar, Undersecretary Sadain has earlier sought assistance of the electric distribution utility company thru a formal letter to Mr. Manuel V. Pangilinan, Chairman of Meralco, in providing fixed supplies of electricity for the mega tents which current power for lighting and airconditioning are supplied by generator set.
DPWH also requested to Mr. Pangilinan free wi-fi access through his telecommunications and digital services provider PLDT and/or Smart Communications, additional water allocation from Maynilad Water Services, and free pass at NLEX toll road leading to Ciudad De Victoria exit.