CCP open grounds eyed as spot for shipping container-turned isolation wards

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is eyeing to place shipping containers converted into isolation facilities at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ (CCP) open grounds, Secretary Mark Villar said Tuesday.

Villar said the agency has so far converted 10 shipping containers into isolation facilities for patients who are awaiting their coronavirus disease (COVID-19) results.

“Yung ibang mga shipping containers, nakagawa na kami ng mga sampu, ginawa namin ito dahil may need para sa isolation facilities. May mga pasyente na naghihintay pa ng diagnosis e habang naghihintay sila hindi pa natin alam kung positive o negative,” Villar said in an online briefing.

(The rest of the shipping containers, we have finished converting 10 of these, since there is a need for isolation facilities. There are patients waiting for their diagnosis, not knowing whether they are positive or negative for the coronavirus.)

“Pwedeng ilagay kahit saan dahil pwede naman ilift kasi container sya. Balak po naming ilagay sa CCP open grounds. Nakikipagcoordinate na kami sa CCP,” he added.

(It can be placed anywhere since it’s a container that can be lifted. We are planning to place it at the CCP open grounds. We are already coordinating with them.)

Last week, DPWH announced it has started converting shipping containers into mobile health facilities.

As of Monday, health officials have confirmed 7,777 cases of COVID-19 nationwide, with 511 deaths and 932 recoveries.