The Villar Group of Companies said it is working with the Public Works Department and EEI Corp. to convert several halls of Philippine International Convention Center into a health facility.
The group said it would spearhead the conversion of Forum Halls 1 to 3 of PICC into a much-needed facility for the treatment and health monitoring of coronavirus disease 2019 patients, and those under monitoring and investigation.
It said the conversion was expected to be completed over the next 10 days.
The immediate conversion of PICC Forum Halls into an improvised health facility will significantly provide an optimal isolation space for monitoring of people infected by COVID-19, as most health facilities in Metro Manila have reached or were nearing maximum capacity.
Once converted, the PCCC Forum Halls would cater to the treatment of roughly 630 COVID-19 patients.
“In these challenging times, I would like to give you the firm assurance of our companies’ commitment to extend help in whichever way we can and converting PICC into a health facility in the fastest time we can is just one of them,” said Manuel Villar, chairman of the Villar Group of Companies.
Once completed, the operation of PICC’s temporary health facility for treatment and monitoring of patients experiencing mild respiratory symptoms such as fever, cough and colds will be under the supervision of the Department of Health.
Meanwhile, Ayala Land Inc. teamed up with Philippine Red Cross for the development of a new testing center. Ayala Land through construction arm Makati Development Corp. is transforming the PRC headquarters mezzanine level in Mandaluyong City into a biosafety laboratory class 2 facility.
The center can process nearly 3,000 tests per day with the results for each batch of tests ready within two hours.
The tie-up is in line with Ayala Land’s aim to support the government in the construction of testing facilities to help identify people carrying the virus early on, allowing health workers to quickly isolate and threat them, thereby containing the spread.
Under the partnership, MDC will complete the electromechanical and architectural works for the testing facilities. Personal protective equipment, regular check-ups and medical services were also provided by the company to ensure the health and safety of the team throughout the duration of the project.