Covid – 19 isolation facility in Benguet town nears completion

TUBLAY, Benguet -The first Covid-19 isolation facility built by the Department of Public Works and Highways in the province of Benguet is nearing completion.

District Engineer

Romelda Bangasan of the DPWH – Benguet Second District Engineering Office reported during the Benguet Provincial Inter Agency Task Force meeting that the facility located at barangays Ambongdolan in this municipality is now on its finishing stage and expected to be ready by December 18, 2020.

The Covid-19 isolation facility has 20-bed capacity and made up of structural steel and concrete. It toilets and bathrooms, water tanks, a generator and air conditioning system.

The project with a total funding of P8,210,155 started Oc

tober 5 and was targeted for completion by Dec. 3. However, there were some challenges during the construction such as the low voltage of electricity which hampered the welding works. Thankfully, the Benguet Electric Cooperative installed a separate transformer in the area to provide better power outage, Bangasan said.

Another challenge is the lack of road networks going to the site. The 75meter access road proceeding to the site from the provincial road needs improvement.

Bangasan said the project is part of the “Proposed Various Medical Healthcare Facilities and Other Related Facilities for Covid19 Patients and Healthcare Professionals” by the DPWH-Benguet 2nd DEO.

She disclosed that they are still waiting for the funding of six more facilities in identified areas within the Benguet – 2nd DEO.

Tublay Mayor Armando Lauro thanked the DPWH that Tublay is the first recipient of the isolation facility which will be a big help in the fight against the Covid19 in the municipality.

He said that while the facility is located in Tublay, Covid- 19 patients from the nearby towns could also use it

Governor Melchor Diclas assured the support of the provincial government, in terms of manpower from the Provincial Health Office and the Benguet General Hospital who will manage the isolation facility.

Meanwhile, another Covid-19 isolation facility in the Benguet General Hospital being constructed by the DPWH - First DEO is also on its finishing stages and is expected to be completed by Dec. 25, 2020.