The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) reiterated its call on the local government units (LGU) to set up their respective isolation facilities for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients.
The agency issued the call after around 25 percent of the LGUs have yet to comply with the DILG directive in preparation for the expected surge of COVID-19 patients as mass testing is being conducted and many hospitals are already congested.
DILG Undersecretary Epimaco Densing in a radio interview estimated that around 75 percent of the LGUs in the country have installed their own isolation facilities for COVID-19 patients.
The Office of the President has approved the P30.824-billion fund or the “Bayanihan Grant to Cities and Municipalities” to boost their capability to provide food and non-food assistance.
The national government has also turned venues like the Philippine International Convention Center Forum Halls and the World Trade Center in Pasay City into quarantine facilities.
Other venues such as the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC)-run Philippine Arena also assisted the government and allowed the use of the venue for COVID-19 patients.(Chito Chavez)