HPMRU News Release No. 52
April 20, 2021
Dr. Gloria J. Balboa, Director IV of the Department of Health – Metro Manila Center for Health Development (DOH-MMCHD) today attended the groundbreaking rites for the new COVID-19 field hospital held at the Rizal Park led by Hon. Francisco “Isko Moreno” M. Domagoso, Mayor of the City of Manila .
Among the dignitaries who graced the event were Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana, Chairman of the National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19; Tourism Secretary Bernadette Fatima T. Romulo-Puyat, Co-chairman of the Interagency Task Force (IATF) on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases; Secretary Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., Presidential Adviser and Chief Implementer of the NTF; Secretary Vivencio B. Dizon, Deputy Implementer of IATF; Undersecretary Jose Arturo S. Garcia, General Manager of Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA); Public Works and Highways Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain; Tretment Czar and Health Undersecretary Leopoldo J. Vega; PBGEN Leo M Farancisco, Director of Manila Police District; and DOH-MMCHD Assistant Regional Director, Dr. Maria Paz P. Corrales.
Mayor Moreno related that the field hospital will be a big help to decongest other hospitals in the verge of or are already in full capacity due to the increasing cases of COVID-19. The city government will deploy additional health workers to the field hospital to provide essential care to the patients. Moreover, the field hospital can accommodate 336 patients with mild to moderate cases of COVID-19.
Meanwhile, the City Government of Manila is aiming that the construction of the field hospital will be finished in two months.