DOTr, PPA prepares two COVID-19 isolation facilities to help decongest hospitals

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) converted two of its quarantine facilities into isolation facilities for the treatment of COVID-19 patients to help decongest hospitals amid the surge of cases in the country.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the DOTr said the said quarantine facilities are those located at the Eva Macapagal Super Terminal in Pier 15 in Manila and the Port of Capinpin Quarantine Facility in Orion town in Bataan.

“The move aims to immediately respond to the urgent need of hospitals and other medical facilities, which are now full with COVID-19 patients being treated,” the DOTr said.

The Eva Macapagal Super Terminal has a total of 211 cubicles and is equipped with hospital beds, portable toilets, cargo containers for showers and open-air dining facilities.

Meanwhile, the Port Capinpin Quarantine Facility that has 124 beds was initially intended to accommodate seafarers participating in crew change activities, returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), as well as non-OFWs.

The DOTr said that it was agreed in a meeting that the Department of Health will provide the manpower and equipment needed for the operations of the said facilities.

The work at the Eva Macapagal Super Terminal and Port Capinpin isolation facilities are ongoing and will be operational by Friday.  -- Ma. Angelica Garcia/BAP, GMA News