The Tactical Operations Wing Eastern Mindanao of the Philippine Air Force has completed the construction of a 25-bed emergency quarantine facility for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pediatric patients at the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC).
The military unit turned over the facility to the government-run hospital on Friday, with the highlight of the event included the blessing of the facility by Father Primitivo J. Guinit, chaplain of SPMC, and the symbolic turnover of the key by Col. Dennis Estrella, commander of the unit, to Dr. Leopoldo Vega, Medical Director of SPMC.
Also present in the ceremony was Dr. Karen Alabado who represented the A Generous Davao (AGD) group.
Estrella said the project was made possible through the partnership of the military unit, the WTA Architecture and Design Studio / DEQA Design, the design firm for the facility, and another military unit, the Army’s 534th Engineering Battalion.
The construction of the project was funded by AGD, a group of businessmen and other representatives of the private sector who decided to bond together to help the city government in addressing the Covid-19 problem.
The facility intends to serve Covid-19 patients who are 18 years old and young as it is equipped with the necessary amenities like air-conditioning units, comfortable patient beds, bathroom and toilet facilities, and nurse’s station.
Based on the order of Lt. Gen. Jose Faustino Jr., commander of Eastern Mindanao Command and the military Head of the COVID-19 Regional Inter-Agency Task Force, all members of the military units were awarded the Military Merit Medal to recognize their efforts.
