All 31 local government units (LGUs) of Negros Occidental are opening their patient care centers (PCCs) or quarantine areas that can accommodate almost 2,000 people.
Zeaphard Caelian, chief of the Provincial Disaster Management Program Division, said on Tuesday that personnel of the Provincial Health Office are inspecting the facilities to certify them for occupancy. Some 1,944 PCCs have been set up.
“These facilities still need personnel, like doctors and nurses, and policemen to address security concerns. You also need people to prepare meals. It’s no joke to prepare a quarantine center,” he added.
These PCCs are intended for returning Negrenses, including overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and those stranded in other parts of the country, who have to undergo a 14-day mandatory quarantine upon arrival in Negros Occidental.
Caelian said if more PCCs open, more Negrenses could return to the province.
Some 28 Negrense seafarers are expected to arrive at the Bredco port in Bacolod late Tuesday.
They will be brought immediately to the Provincial Healing Center, the PCC managed by the provincial government in EB Magalona town, to undergo quarantine for two weeks.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said the “most ideal” set-up would be for each LGU to have its own PCC.
“We’re working closely with Cadiz City because they have ‘Yolanda’ homes that are vacant. They are allowing (them) to be used as facility for returning OFWs,” Lacson said.
The National Housing Authority site in Cadiz can accommodate up to 438 persons.
In neighboring Sagay City, the Balay Kauswagan and Sagay National High School can cater to 65 individuals.
The Rafael B. Lacson National High School and Dr. Trino Montinola Elementary School in Talisay City also have rooms for 100 persons while the Soreta Facility in Barangay Patag, Silay City is available for 50 individuals.
In the south, the Balicaocao High Resort in Kabankalan City can accommodate up to 100 persons while the Antipolo Gymnasium in Pontevedra town can cater to 120 individuals.
In Murcia town, the Murcia East Elementary School has available spaces for 180 persons, and the Capitol-run Mambukal Resort, 42 persons.
Other areas where the patient care centers will be set up are Bago City, Binalbagan, Calatrava, Candoni, Cauayan, Don Salvador Benedicto, Escalante City, Himamaylan City, Hinigaran, Hinoba-an, Ilog, Isabela, La Carlota City, La Castellana, Manapla, Moises Padilla, San Enrique, San Carlos City, Sipalay City, Toboso, Valladolid, and Victorias City.
(Nanette Guadalquiver NDB via Pna)