RETROFITTED EVA MACAPAGAL TERMINAL ISOLATION FACILITY OPENS; PPA READY TO EXPAND BED CAPACITY FOR COVID-19 PATIENTS
The Eva Macapagal Super Terminal Quarantine Facility in Manila South Harbor, which was converted into an isolation facility amid the surge of COVID-19 cases in the country, formally opened yesterday, 26 April 2021.
The conversion of the quarantine facility, which is being managed and operated by the DOTr Maritime sector since 2020, was made possible through the initiatives of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
To recall, the PPA and PCG initiated the retrofitting of the Eva Macapagal Super Terminal due to the continuous rise of COVID-19 cases in the country, particularly in the National Capital Region (NCR). Initially, the facility was set up to merely accommodate repatriated seafarers and OFWs who are required to undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine. With the conversion and retrofitting, asymptomatic patients and patients with mild symptoms can now be accommodated and treated in the facility.
According to Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) General Manager Jay Daniel Santiago, patients who are asymptomatic and with mild symptoms will be attended to in an isolated quadrant identified as Section A. This section has a 55-bed capacity. Section A can also serve as a step-down care facility for recovering patients. GM Santiago also has assured that the agency is ready to expand bed capacity should the need arises.
"Makakaasa po kayo na kung kakailanganing magdagdag ng pasilidad po para ma-expand 'yung 55-bed capacity na 'to, handa po ang Philippine Ports Authority at ang Philippine Coast Guard, sa ilalim po ng Department of Transportation, na tayo po ay makipag-kapit-bisig sa Department of Health at iba pa pong ahensya para matugunan po ang pangangailangang ito."
At present, the Eva Macapagal Super Terminal Quarantine Facility has a 211-bed capacity divided into four (4) sections for patients, health staffers, and other essential workers. Aside from Section A, Section B will house the health staff and other essential workers, while Sections C and D will continuously cater to personnel of the PCG and PPA who contracted the virus but are asymptomatic or showing mild symptoms.
"Kung matatandaaan po natin, noong Agosto po ng 2020 o last year, sa direktiba po ni Secretary Arthur Tugade at sa tulong pong pampinansyal ng Lopez Group of Companies, kinonvert po natin ang Eva Macapagal Super Terminal para maging quarantine facility po ng ating mga seafarers, 'yung mga dumadating pong tripulante po na mga Pilipino na pauwi po sa kanilang tour of service from the cruise ships at iba pang cargo vessels," GM Santiago said.
Meanwhile, DOTr Undersecretary for Administrative Affairs Artemio Tuazon Jr., who represented DOTr Secretary Arthur P. Tugade in the walk-through event, stressed the DOTr’s commitment in helping the national government, particularly the health sector, in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Itong conversion po at paggamit ng Eva Macapagal Super Terminal bilang isolation facility ay nagpapakita po ng pagtutulungan ng ating buong gobyerno. Ang DOTr, sa pamumuno po ni Secretary Tugade, ay sumusuporta po at patuloy na susuporta sa lahat 'ho ng inisiyatibo ng IATF at ng DOH, upang mapuksa itong COVID-19," Usec. Tuazon asserted.
#DOTrPH
#PPAworks #CoastGuardPH #MaritimeSectorWorks #PartnersForChange
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