THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), and the MVP Group of Companies have partnered to complete the 300-bed mega-treatment facility “We Heal As One Center” in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Under the leadership of DPWH Secretary Mark A. Villar and chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan, the latest large-scale health and safety initiative made available by the Iglesia Ni Cristo in Ciudad de Victoria, Bocaue, Bulacan, is set to be completed on Wednesday April 29.
This is in consonance with President Duterte’s Bayanihan to Heal as One Act.
The final inspection of the fully functional quarantine center was led by DPWH Undersecretary Emil Sadain, INC official lawyer Glicerio “Ka GP” Santos IV and senior MVP group officers from Meralco, Maynilad-Phil Hydro, PLDT-Smart, and Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC)-NLEX Corporation.
The facilities will be turned over to the Inter Agency Task Force on Covid-19 (IATF) medical teams once completed. It will be open to returning OFWs who will be required to undergo mandatory quarantine.
“This is another testament to the effective collaboration among the public and private sectors. Our group will continue to support the government’s Covid-19 emergency response programs and help the country recover from this pandemic. During this health crisis, everyone must pitch in,” said MVP group head chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan.
MPTC through NLEX Corporation will provide special and exclusive access along the North Luzon Expressway to the Philippine Arena quarantine center for the IATF quarantine teams and medical support groups.
Toll-free passage will also be given to all medical frontliners, ambulances, medical service vans and the support team buses of the Department of Health (DOH).
To ensure efficient and safe movement of vehicles within the area, NLEX will likewise assist in traffic management and 24/7 monitoring via its CCTV system. Roving patrol crews, emergency response and engineering teams will be on standby to ensure hassle-free motorist access between the NLEX and the quarantine facility.
Meralco will install eight concrete poles and nine distribution transformers to energize the three mega tents. The electric distribution utility company will also waive the installation and dismantling costs and ensure the continuous flow of electricity to these temporary structures.
For its part, Maynilad Water and subsidiary Philippine Hydro Inc. will provide free metering works for the water supply requirements of the quarantine sites. They will also render technical assistance and support on water supply-related concerns.
To support the quarantine center’s communication requirements, PLDT wireless arm Smart Communications will equip the center with free Wi-Fi services and enable medical frontliners and patients alike to be online.
“Our partnership signifies the true spirit of bayanihan. We are thankful to the MVP Group for helping us complete the requirements to make this mega quarantine center operational,” said DPWH Undersecretary Emil Sadain, head of the agency’s Task Force on Augmentation of Local and National Health Facilities.
The MVP Group has been actively involved in supporting frontliners and local government units during this pandemic. Its contributions to the Philippine Arena quarantine facilities are part of its series of anti Covid-19 initiatives.
The MVP Group is the country’s leading conglomerate of infrastructure utilities with diverse assets in power, electricity distribution, water supply, logistics, tollways operations and management, telecommunications and digital services.
The quarantine center will be run by the Philippine government, with personnel from the DOH, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and Philippine National Police. (With a report from Charlene Cayabyab)