The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is set to build a 100-bed capacity isolation center for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in Alabel town, Sarangani province this month.
Engr. Gerald Faciol, Sarangani assistant provincial administrator for operations, said Thursday they are working on signing a memorandum of agreement in the next few days with the DPWH-12 to facilitate the implementation of the project.
He said the Sangguniang Panlalawigan or provincial board passed a resolution in its regular session last Tuesday authorizing Gov. Steve Chiongbian Solon to sign the agreement with DPWH-Region 12 Director Basir Ibrahim.
“The project’s construction is targeted to start within this month,” Faciol said in a report.
The official said the Covid-19 isolation facility, which will cost around PHP55 million, will be constructed in a lot owned by the provincial government in Barangay Ladol, Alabel town.
The site is situated along the national highway and adjacent to the provincial capitol compound, which also hosts the Sarangani Health Care Facility or provincial hospital.
Faciol said the facility will be put up using 40-footer container vans that are retrofitted into isolation rooms.
He said the rooms will have enough space to accommodate one patient each and these will have comfort rooms as well as air conditioning system.
Once completed, he said the facility will serve as the province’s main isolation center for symptomatic Covid-19 patients.
He said the project is a huge boost to the province’s efforts to provide adequate isolation and treatment facilities for Covid-19 patients from its seven municipalities.
The local government currently utilizes the provincial hospital as isolation center and augmented by the established municipal and barangay quarantine facilities.
A project briefer said the facility was among the priority projects approved for the region by the DPWH central office, through Secretary and “isolation czar” Mark Villar, to help address the Covid-19 pandemic.
The project is supported by Senator Manny Pacquiao and Sarangani lone district Rep. Rogelio Pacquiao. (PNA)
