AS the City of Muntinlupa beefs up its capacity to combat the Covid-19 pandemic, a new “We Heal As One” quarantine facility has officially opened in Pacwood Site, Barangay Tunasan to accommodate patients who have tested positive and are suspected for the virulent illness.
The 144-bed isolation hub, which is worth P45 million, was constructed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in partnership with the local government unit (LGU) of Muntinlupa.
DPWH Secretary Mark Villar, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade and Muntinlupa City Mayor Jaime Fresnedi led its ceremonial blessing. Also in attendance were Office of Civil Defense Assistant Secretary Hernando Caraig Jr., City Administrator Allan Cachuela, City Health Officer Dr. Teresa Tuliao, and CHO Isolation Facility Administrator Dr. Juancho Bunyi.
Fresnedi expressed his gratitude for DPWH’s assistance in the construction of the additional quarantine facility as it augments the locality’s Covid-19 response efforts.
DPWH and Muntinlupa LGU converted 36 shipping container units into isolation pods for positive, suspect and probable Covid-19 cases. These will also serve as quarters for medical frontliners who will be deployed in the facility.
Self-sufficient
Each room has a comfort room, air-conditioning unit, and bed supplies. Internet service will also be made available in the facility.
Residents who will occupy the isolation rooms will get a Covid-19 essentials bag consisting of a hygiene kit, vitamins, medicine, thermometer, bedsheet, pillow blanket, and towels, among others.
For anyone who has undergone Covid-19 swab testing, the city government of Muntinlupa implements a mandatory self-isolation policy or admission to local isolation facilities if requirements for home quarantine are not met as certified by the CHO.
This is to restrict the movement of suspect cases and prevent possible carriers of the virus to travel and infect others.
During the program, Villar revealed that an additional quarantine facility with 200-bed capacity will be built in the Filinvest Tent Parking Area.
Tugade, on the other hand, lauded the LGU’s hard work in executing surveillance, isolation and treatment protocols, as well as its efforts to fight the health crisis.
He said that the city government’s request for the opening of the Susana Heights–MCX Access Road has been approved by the DPWH and DOTr,and is expected to be accessible by December.