Opening rites for COVID-19 modular hospital a non-issue – DPWH chief

Senator Bong Go, Health Secretary Francisco Duque, Public Works and Highways Mark Villar and vaccine czar Carlito Galvez leads the inauguration and turn-over ceremony of the newly built 110-bed Off-Site Modular Hospital at the Department of Health-Quezon Institute, Quezon City on April 6, 2021, to accomodate the growing number of Covid-19 patients. 📷:Niño Jesus Orbeta/Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines — Public Works Secretary and isolation czar Mark Villar on Wednesday said he sees nothing wrong with holding ceremonies for the opening of new COVID-19 facilities.

Senator Nancy Binay earlier criticized the ribbon-cutting rite for the new 110-bed capacity modular hospital at the Quezon Institute.

“I don’t wanna dwell on this issue but before we open even a road, we do final inspections to make sure all these things are complete, equipment that they need, the requirements, any final modifications that need to be made and of course there’s a blessing,” Villar said in an interview on ABS-CBN News Channel.

Sen. Nancy Binay  (Screen grab/Senate PRIB)

“I mean, syempre, I think blessing hindi naman masama kung ibe-bless muna yung building. And of course yung final inspection is important and we do this for all public infrastructure,” added Villar.

“To be fair to the government, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with conducting a final inspection.  And if we bless the building, I don’t think that that should be an issue.”

Villar was among the attendees of the new COVID-19 facility’s inauguration along with Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. and Senator Christopher “Bong” Go.

LOOK: Senator Bong Go, Health Secretary Francisco Duque, DPWH Secretary Mark Villar and vaccine czar Carlito Galvez lead the inauguration and turnover ceremony of the newly built 110-bed, off-site modular hospital in Quezon City on April 6, 2021,
📷:Niño Jesus Orbeta/PDI pic.twitter.com/btg9PFBdwp

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) April 6, 2021

Binay said the ribbon-cutting and photo opportunities that come with the opening of the facility “leave a bad taste” for COVID-19 patients and their families “who are racing against life and time.”

The 110-bed modular hospital that opened on Tuesday will accommodate severe and critical cases of COVID-19.

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