LAOAG CITY – Rising infections in the province prompted local authorities here to build an additional permanent isolation facility with a grant of PHP10 million from the national government.
Dr. Medeldorf Gaoat, a senior board member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Ilocos Norte and chair of the committee on health, reported Wednesday that the Governor Roque B. Ablan Sr. Memorial Hospital is ready to host the two-story isolation facility with 20 beds capacity.
“Personnel from the Provincial Engineering Office has already inspected the site and the construction will commence at the soonest possible time,” said Gaoat.
Backing this move, members of the Ilocos Norte board unanimously approved on Monday a resolution granting authority to Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc to enter into a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Health.
President Rodrigo Duterte recently approved a PHP30-billion aid for local government units (LGUs) under Republic Act No. 11494, also known as “Bayanihan to Recover as One Act”.
LGUs are expected to comply with all the requirements such as securing a Permit to Construct before implementation.
Earlier, the city government here temporarily suspended accepting returning residents as quarantine and isolation facilities have already reached their maximum capacity due to coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
To date, Laoag has recorded 86 recoveries out of the total 252 cases.
Aside from the provincial hospital, the Bangui District Hospital will also have its own isolation facility to cater to more patients in the first district of the province. (PNA)
