75% of LGUs set up own isolation facilities for COVID-19 —DILG exec

The Department of the Interior and Local Government on Sunday said that so far, around 75 percent of local government units nationwide already established their own isolation facilities for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

“Halos lahat, I think 75% ay mayroon na. Buong Pilipinas ho ‘yan,” DILG Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III said in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV.

Earlier, the DILG directed local government units to set up their own isolation facilities for COVID-19 patients as soon as possible.

This is in  preparation for the anticipated surge in the number of COVID-19 patients due to mass testing, as many hospitals were already congested.

In support of LGUs' efforts, the Office of the President approved the proposed P30.824-billion fund or the “Bayanihan Grant to Cities and Municipalities” dedicated to boost local governments' capability for COVID-19 response.

LGUs received an extra Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) in the same amount that they regularly receive from the Department of Budget and Management.

For its part, the national government is also working on turning venues like Philippine International Convention Center Forum Halls, and the World Trade Center in Pasay City into quarantine facilities.

All probable COVID-19 cases will be isolated in these facilities, as part of measures to control the spread of the virus.

As of Saturday, the Department of Health recorded 6,087 COVID-19 cases, 397 fatalities, and 516 recoveries. —Joviland Rita/LBG, GM A News