PICC, World Trade Center, Rizal Memorial Sports Complex to be used as COVID-19 quarantine facilities — IATF

Some of the country’s notable buildings will be converted into quarantine areas amid the continued rise in cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the country.

On Tuesday, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) and World Trade Center (WTC) in Pasay and the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila will be used as facilities for the treatment and health monitoring of COVID-19 patients.

Nograles said the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases on Monday tasked the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), in cooperation with private entities, to complete all the work necessary to convert the said buildings into quarantine facilities.

In a statement, DPWH said it will work vigorously for the redesigning and conversion of PICC Forum Halls 1 to 3 into COVID-19 facility within two weeks.

The planned PICC health facility is estimated to cater to the treatment of about 630 patients, according to the DPWH.

The department also said the Ayala Development Corporation and Makati Development Corporation committed to undertake development of the World Trade Center while the Razon Group will convert the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, specifically the Ninoy Aquino Basketball Stadium, into a health facility for COVID infection control.

“[T]he DPWH will accredit construction workers who will work on the three facilities identified for purposes of quarantine or isolation,” the DPWH said.

“Such accredited workers shall be provided with quarantine pass to be exempted from the government’s strict home quarantine policy.”

The Philippines has reported 1,546 COVID-19 cases including 78 deaths and 42 recoveries, according to a tally by the Department of Health on Monday. — RSJ, GMA News