The City Government of Bacolod and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the construction of 2 sets of healthcare facilities in this city that will provide 32 isolation rooms for asymptomatic or mild COVID-positive cases.
The facilities will be placed at the City’s property at Brgy. Alijis, now used as a plant nursery of the City Agriculture Office.
This facility, costing a total of ₱ 25 million or ₱ 12.5 million per set, is provided for free to the Bacolod LGU by the DPWH in answer to the appeal of Mayor Evelio Leonardia for more isolation facilities in the City for indigent patients.
The ceremonial signing of the MOA by Mayor Leonardia and DPWH Undersecretary Emil Sadain was done in the presence of Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., chief implementer of the National Task Force Against COVID-19. Other witnesses were City Legal Officer Atty. Joselito Bayatan and DPWH-6 regional director Engr. Leah Delfinado, held recently.
Also witnessing the MOA signing were DOH Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega, and members of the Bacolod Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Task Force: EOC Executive Director and City Administrator Em Ang, Councilor Cindy Rojas, Councilor Renecito Novero, City Health Officer Dr. Ma. Carmela Gensoli, City Legal Officer Atty. Joselito Bayatan, Executive Assistants George Zulueta and Ernesto Pineda, Dr. Grace Tan, Dr. Hector Gayares Jr., Dr. Chris Sorongon, and John Dave Dueñas.
The signing ceremony was held during a meeting of Galvez and his team with City and Provincial officials, to discuss “coordinated operations to defeat the COVID-19 pandemic.”
SUPPLEMENT ISOLATION FACILITIES
Leonardia said the two sets of isolation facilities will supplement bed capacity for indigent COVID-positive patients who do not need hospital care so that hospitals will have more room to accommodate the more critically ill patients.
Leonardia is grateful to DPWH regional director Engr. Lea Delfinado for working out this assistance to the City, with the endorsement of Bacolod Congressman Greg Gasataya.
According to Delfinado, the DPWH will handle the emergency procurement and construction of the 2 sets of isolation 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.
Thus, 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 added.
DPWH targets completion by September 30, considering that it will be using pre-fabricated components. (News and photo by Bacolod City Public Information Office)