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AFP, private group turn over 2 quarantine facilities to RITM

By Priam Nepomuceno

April 19, 2020, 11:30 am

<p><strong>PATIENT CARE CENTERS</strong>. Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and DEQA Design Collaborative representatives turn over emergency quarantine facility (ECQ) to Research Institute for Tropical Medicine officials in Muntinlupa City on Saturday (April 18, 2020). The AFP and DEQA constructed two ECQs with combined capacity of 25 beds. <em>(Photo courtesy of AFP Public Affairs Office)</em></p>

PATIENT CARE CENTERS. Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and DEQA Design Collaborative representatives turn over emergency quarantine facility (ECQ) to Research Institute for Tropical Medicine officials in Muntinlupa City on Saturday (April 18, 2020). The AFP and DEQA constructed two ECQs with combined capacity of 25 beds. (Photo courtesy of AFP Public Affairs Office)

MANILA – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the DEQA Design Collaborative on Saturday turned over two emergency quarantine facilities (EQFs) to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) in Muntinlupa City.

Captain Jonathan Zata, AFP public affairs office chief, said the EQFs have a combined capacity of 25 beds constructed by the Office of the Chief Engineer; the Naval Combat Engineering Brigade; and Architects Denise de Castro, Andre Villarico, Rommell Corpuz, and engineer Felipe Agustin from DEQA Design Collaborative.

RITM director, Dr. Celia Carlos, assistant director Beatrice Quiambao, and chief administrative officer Rodolfo Villarico received the two facilities in a simple turnover ceremony.

The two ECFs are part of the 60 facilities conceptualized by the WTA Architects under Architect William Ti Jr., Zata added.

Designed to isolate and treat mild to asymptomatic coronavirus disease (Covid-19) patients, the facilities are expected to help decongest hospitals and contribute to the national effort to control the pandemic.

"These are medically approved structures made of light materials that can house up to 15 beds and (can be) built within three to five days," Zata said.

The EQF Project reports over 22 completed sites and 26 projects in active construction.

Each EQF costs PHP350,000 and WTA Architecture and Design Studio is still open for donations to build the remaining unfunded EQFs.

Those who are interested to donate and for other information about the project may contact [email protected]. (PNA)


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