THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has been reported to be in the process of modifying three mega tents inside the Philippine Arena complex to be turned into isolation facilities for coronavirus patients.

In a report posted on the DPWH Facebook page, Secretary Mark Villar was reported to have sent a DPWH Task Force on Augmentation of Healthcare Facilities headed by Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain to assess the three mega tents inside the Philippine Arena’s Ciudad de Victoria complex owned by the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) in Bocaue, Bulacan.

“The mega tent facilities at Philippine Arena were offered by the INC to help the government curb the spread of Covid-19,” the report said.

Atty. Glicerio “GP” Santos IV, Chief Operating Officer of Maligaya Development Corporation, showed to the DPWH team the three (3) mega tents that would be turned into quarantine facilities for about 440 Covid-19 patients with mild symptoms and asymptomatic patients, according to the report.

Secretary Villar said that based on the assessment of the DPWH Task Force, the existing steel frame and other partition materials in the mega tents had to be modified to ensure that they comply with the Department of Health standards for health facilities. With current power for lighting and airconditioning supplied by generator set, fixed electrical power with transformer of about 500 kva capacity of Meralco and augmented water supply are also needed in every mega tent.

DPWH Region 3 headed by Regional Director Roseller Tolentino are now preparing the design plan for all the development activities at the said site and will refer to hospital design specialist Architect Dan Lichauco for comments and approval.

The Iglesia Ni Cristo is also offering its Garden Suites, also part of the Ciudad de Victoria estate, as separate housing facilities for assigned health workers, the report added.