‘Biggest’ quarantine facility in Metro Manila opens in Marikina City

Public Works Secretary Mark Villar, on October 30, turns over the biggest COVID-19 quarantine facility to Marikina City Mayor Marcelino during a ceremony in Barangay Nangka. The DPWH-built facility, the 8th quarantine facility in the city, has 136-bed units. (MARIKINA LGU PHOTOS)

MANILA, Philippines — The biggest quarantine center, which has a 136-bed capacity, was established in Marikina City for the mandatory isolation and treatment of the city’s COVID-19 patients, the city government said on Friday.

In a statement, Marikina Public Information Office (PIO) said Public Works Secretary Mark Villar turned over the newly-completed quarantine facility to Marikina Mayor Marcelino Teodoro to isolate infected patients from Kabayani Road in Barangay Nangka.

“Ito na po ang pinakamalaking quarantine facility sa Metro Manila. (This is the biggest quarantine facility in Metro Manila.) With this facility, we will further lessen the number of cases of COVID-19,” Villar said during a speech at the inauguration of the quarantine facility.

The Department of Public Works and Highways converted 37 container vans into isolation rooms with air-conditioning systems, beds, and comfort rooms.

Aside from rooms for COVID-19 patients, the quarantine center also has rooms for healthcare workers and medical equipment, and medical doctors and nurse stations.

Marikina PIO said this is the eighth COVID-19 quarantine facility in the city.

Marikina already has three isolation centers at the Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center; one in Marikina Hotel; one in Marikina Convention Center; one bunker; and one in Marikina Sports Center. [ac]