Nueva Valencia gets new quarantine facility

THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Regional Office 6 recently turned over a makeshift quarantine facility to the local government unit of Nueva Valencia, Guimaras.

Regional director Lea Delfinado said the P3.9-million project involves conversion of the existing Regional Evacuation Center in Nueva Valencia into a quarantine facility for COVID-19 related cases and that can house approximately 45 persons such as locally stranded individuals (LSIs) coming back to the province, suspected COVID-19 patients and confirmed cases.

“We have completed the construction of 45 units individual isolation cubicles inside the main building of the evacuation center furnished with bed, table and chair, trash bin and individual lighting system,” she said.

“Other than isolation cubicles, we have also provided nurse stations and office working areas for nurses and medical practitioners who will be assigned to look after the patients, including mess hall and room for medical supplies,” she added.

Likewise, Nueva Valencia Mayor Emmanuel Galila said the LGU could save government funds with the provision of this facility in the province.

“To date, the province has approximately 80 LSIs who are housed in hotels in Iloilo City, which we are paying for P1,800/person on a daily basis. And with the completion of this facility, we can accommodate them here thus, we can save about P144,000 everyday and said amount can be utilized for other essential needs,” he said. This makeshift quarantine facility is part of the construction/rehabilitation of healthcare facilities, Cluster 2 in the amount of P61.38 million, which includes improvement of two quarantine facilities located in Nueva Valencia, Guimaras and Carles, Iloilo; and four units off-site dormitories, three of which are located in Iloilo specifically at Iloilo Provincial Hospital in Pototan, Don Jose Monfort Medical Center in Barotac Nuevo, and Dr. Ricardo, Lardido Memorial District Hospital in Lambunao, while the other one is located at Lorenzo Zayco District Hospital in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental. Meanwhile, Delfinado said seven more facilities and off-site dormitories under Cluster 1 in the amount of P84.15 million; six facilities under Cluster 3 amounting to P822.17 million; and five facilities under Cluster 4 in the amount of P66.82 million are currently being undertaken by DPWH Regional Office 6, situated in various areas in the region, most of them are nearing completion./PN