Gov't transforms buildings into COVID-19 quarantine centers

The Philippine government is transforming large buildings and open spaces into quarantine facilities to ease the burden on hospitals treating COVID-19 patients in Metro Manila and surrounding areas.

These newly established "We Heal As One" centers include major venues such as the Amoranto Stadium, Quezon Institute, Rizal Memorial Complex, Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), and World Trade Center (WTC).

The WTC will offer the largest capacity with 530 beds, while the PICC will have 294 beds, and the Rizal Memorial Complex will provide 112 beds.

Outside of Metro Manila, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is also converting facilities like the Philippine Arena in Bulacan, the ASEAN Convention Center in Clark, and the National Government Administrative Center Building (NGAC) and Athlete's Village in Tarlac.

The NGAC Building alone will have 1,000 beds, making it one of the largest facilities in Region 3, and the Athlete's Village will allocate 523 rooms for patients.

The ASEAN Convention Center is set to accommodate 200 beds.

The DPWH initially aimed to complete the construction of all these COVID-19 facilities within a ten-day period.

Several of these "We Heal As One" centers, including those at Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Rizal Memorial Stadium, PICC Forum Halls, WTC, ASEAN Convention Center, and NGAC, have already been finished.

The National Task Force Against COVID-19 is actively monitoring the progress and status of these health facilities.