ECO-BRICKS. A worker lines up eco-bricks that will be used in building an isolation facility in Saint Bernard, Southern Leyte. The local government unit has started the construction of a municipal quarantine facility which is partly made of eco-bricks and recycled plastic bottles. (Photo courtesy of Department of Social Welfare and Development Region 8)
TACLOBAN CITY – The local government unit of Saint Bernard in Southern Leyte province has started the construction of a municipal quarantine facility which is partly made of eco-bricks and recycled plastic bottles.
The PHP10-million building was funded by the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
Residents volunteered to build the quarantine facility. The local government also assigned the 28 villages to produce eight blocks of recycled plastic bottles that will be used as a perimeter fence of the facility.
“The community was inspired by our ecological solid waste management, the reason why we chose to use eco-bricks and recycled plastic bottles as alternative construction materials for the facility,” Mayor Manuel Calapre said.
Before building the quarantine facility, the town used recycled plastic bottles for fences and eco-bricks for path walks.
Calapre said using recyclable materials has been the local government counterpart in the implementation of the Kalahi-CIDSS project.
“We are thankful to KALAHI-CIDSS for giving us and funding this project. This helps strengthen the community's participation and knowledge on local governance and shows that they too can participate in developmental plans,” Calapre added.
The facility construction will be completed in October. It will be provided with medical supplies, amenities, and basic equipment needed by locally stranded individuals and probable Covid-19 patients who will stay in the facility.
Saint Bernard, a 4th class municipality, has six confirmed Covid-19 patients as of Sept. 3. Five have already recovered and one patient is still an active case currently isolated in the municipal isolation facility. (PNA)
