Mayor Evelio Leonardia announced yesterday that Bacolod City is finalizing a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Department of Public Works and Highways for the latter to construct two quarantine facilities to supplement the bed capacity for indigent COVID positive patients who do not need hospital care.
This will enable hospitals to have more rooms to accommodate the more critically-ill patients, he said.
The facilities, costing P25 million, or P12.5 million per set, will be provided by the DPWH in answer to the appeal of Leonardia for more quarantine facilities in the city for indigent patients, a press release from the City Public Information Office said.
Leonardia said he is grateful to DPWH Regional Director Lea Delfinado for working out this assistance to the City, with the endorsement of Bacolod Rep. Greg Gasataya.
Delfinado said the DPWH will handle the emergency procurement and construction of the two sets of quarantine facilities.
Each set is a one-storey container van-type of structure with 16 isolation rooms, each with its own comfort room. Each set also comes with a nurses’ station, a utility room, and quarters for medical personnel on duty.
Leonardia said the project will provide an additional 32 isolation rooms for COVID-positive patients.
“This is a most welcome help from the national government, and the City is deeply grateful for it,” Leonardia said.
The project will be placed at the city’s property in Brgy. Alijis, now being used as a plant nursery of the City Agriculture Office, the press release said.
Leonardia will present the MOA for approval by the Sangguniang Panlungsod after review by the City Legal Office. Once approved, construction can start in August.
The DPWH targets completion in only two months considering that it will be using pre-fabricated components.*
