The Villar Group of Companies said it completed the conversion of the Philippine International Convention Center Forum Halls into a temporary health facility for patients affected by the coronavirus disease 2019.
It said in a statement the newly-completed facility was turned over to the Philippine National Police Medical Corps on April 15.
The PICC Quarantine Facility has 294 patient cubicles, six nurse stations and six smart houses outside the Forum building for the health workers.
“We are one with the Philippines in its fight against the spread of COVID-19. Hence, we are delighted to have been able to convert PICC Forum halls to a makeshift hospital and is now ready for use ahead of schedule as this will greatly provide the optimal isolation space needed amid this pandemic,” said Villar Group chairman Manny Villar.
The Villar Group, along with the Department of Public Works and Highways and EEI Corp., finished the job three days ahead of schedule by working 24 hours a day.
The fully air-conditioned health facility at the PICC complex will house patients with mild to moderate cases of COVID-19. It will be managed by the PNP Medical Corps.
The Villar Group also installed a disinfecting apparatus at the PICC Quarantine Facility. This is similar to the ones installed by the group at several hospitals to prevent the spread of the virus.
It recently installed disinfecting apparatus at Bataan General Hospital.
The group previously set up similar disinfecting apparatus at nine other hospitals, including RITM in Alabang, Las Piñas General Hospital and Don Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital in Caloocan, Rizal Medical Center in Pasig, Quirino Medical Center, Philippine Heart Center and Lung Center of the Philippines in Quezon City and San Lazaro Hospital and Santa Ana Hospital in Manila.