AFP, SMC complete construction of quarantine facilities

AFP Emergency Quarantine Facility in Puerto Princesa. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/SMC

MANILA, Philippines—The Armed Forces of the Philippines has completed the construction of 10 quarantine facilities across military camps in the country that will accommodate COVID-19 patients with mild to no symptoms.

These quarantine facilities, a project with San Miguel Corporation, were meant to ease the strain on local hospitals that have been working non-stop since the pandemic began in the country.

The facilities, located beside military hospitals, have 15 beds each.

“Our hospitals cannot afford to exceed their capacity as many patients, including those who are treated for other illnesses, will be needing these health facilities,” said SMC president and COO Ramon S. Ang.

“These isolation areas will also help ensure that the transmission of the disease can be better controlled and lessen the risk on other patients who are vulnerable.”

Western Mindanao Command Hospital in Zamboanga was the earliest to complete the emergency quarantine facility on April 22.

The Northern Luzon Command Hospital in Tarlac and Eastern Mindanao Command Hospital in Davao had their facilities running on April 23 while the Southern Luzon Command Hospital in Lucena completed construction on April 24.

The Philippine Fleet in Cavite City and Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City had its facilities on April 28 and 29, respectively, while Central Command Hospital in Cebu and Joint Task Force-NCR inside Camp Aguinaldo completed construction on May 1.

Colonel Jose Villamor Airbase Hospital in Pasay and Western Command in Palawan upped its facilities on May 6.