Free Wi-Fi offered in Metro Manila quarantine centers

MANILA, Philippines — Free Wi-Fi hotspots have been set up in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) quarantine centers in Metro Manila, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) reported Wednesday.

DICT said the Wi-Fi hotspots were set up at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum (RMC) in Manila, the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) and the World Trade Center Metro Manila (WTCMM) in Pasay City.

The DICT said the free internet connection will help health workers in the submission of their situation reports online.

“It will also alleviate fear and distress among frontliners and patients by allowing them to keep in touch with their families and loved ones,” DICT said in a statement.

Free Wi-Fi service is also offered in several quarantine centers outside Metro Manila, DICT said.

This includes the Dagupan City Astrodome in Pangasinan; New Clark City – Athletes Village in Capas, Tarlac; City Rest Drive Inn in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan; Sacred Heart School for Boys in Cebu City; and Ateneo de Zamboanga – Lantaka Campus in Zamboanga City.

The Philippine government converted state-owned buildings and sports facilities into quarantine facilities to accommodate patients suspected of having COVID-19, asymptomatic patients and those who have already recovered from the respiratory illness.

The RMC can house about 112 COVID-19 patients while PICC can accommodate a maximum of 294 patients and World Trade Center can admit 502 patients.

/MUF