WITH still no known treatment for COVID-19, the construction of a field hospital at Rizal Park in Manila is a “welcome development” in the fight against the pandemic.
A project of the local government of Manila, the new medical facility is designed to accommodate 336 mild and moderate COVID-19 patients, including non-Manila residents.
Leading yesterday’s groundbreaking ceremony of the P154-million Manila Mega COVID Hospital was Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Damagoso and Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan.
Others who graced the occasion were Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, National Task Force Against COVID-19 Chief Implementer Carlito Galvez Jr., Deputy Chief Implementer Vince Dizon and Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat.
Construction of the hospital at the historic Rizal Park, where foreign and local tourists watch the breathtaking “Sunset at Manila Bay,” is expected to be completed in two months.
We can understand why even non-Manila residents, including those from the provinces, and national health authorities welcomed the city government’s project.
“Alam nila na malaki ang maitutulong ng itatayong ospital sa Rizal Park habang nagpapatuloy ang pandemya sa buong mundo,” said a street vendor in Intramuros, Manila.
As envisioned, there will be separate facilities for female and male patients, according to city authorities.
Mayor Isko said the facility will unclog overcrowded hospitals and avoid cases of COVID-19 patients unattended while waiting to be admitted in hospitals treating severe cases.
If more beds are needed, the city government is ready to add 100 more beds to the planned 336 beds.
Manila government authorities, led by Yorme Isko and VM Honey, cannot afford to relax while the Filipino people continue to suffer because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
