The Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. has quickly responded to the request of government, through the Department of Public Works and Highways, for 350 hospital beds for the Heal As One quarantine facilities in the Philippine International Convention Center.
PICC’s 4,000-square meter Forum Hall has been fully converted into a quarantine center and turned over to the PNP Medical Corps.
“We welcome the opportunity to support DPWH in achieving its target for PICC and other quarantine facilities,” MPTC assistant vice president Celeste Pia Alimon said. The DPWH was given the mandate to convert properties into Heal As One quarantine centers – like the PICC, Ninoy Aquino Sports Complex, the Phil Sports Arena and the World Trade Center, among others.
Meanwhile, the Office of Civil Defense denied posts and pictures circulating on social media claiming that personal protective equipment (PPE) sets and supplies needed by medical personnel in containing the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak are for sale.
“Days ago, the agency has received some reports of misleading posts. One of which was a photo of PPE sets being unloaded from a military aircraft used by a netizen for business purposes, claiming that the items in the photo which are intended for distribution to hospitals are for sale,” OCD administrator Ricardo Jalad said in a statement.
He added the agency strongly condemns such activities, as well as other forms of disinformation which aims to advance a personal interest.