MARAWI CITY – Officials of the Bangsamoro Government led Wednesday, Oct. 13, the turnover ceremony of the 9th Covid-19 isolation facility in the region located at Dr. Serapio B. Montañer Jr. Al Haj Memorial Hospital (DSBMMH) in Malabang Municipality, Lanao del Sur.
The 100-bed capacity facility, costing to a total of Php27-million, was funded by the Office of the Chief Minister and implemented by the Ministry of Public Works (MPW).
MPW Minister Archt. Eduard Guerra stressed that the completion of Covid-19 facilities in the region were expedited for immediate use.
“We devised a strategy with the planning wherein permanent siya pero madaling i-construct. 45-70 days maximum tapos na yung construction,” said Guerra.
He also stressed that the facility was already stocked with bedding sets. “Kompleto na po yan, ready for use. Hindi na sila mahirapan mag-source ng funding para sa mga bedding at kung ano pang mga kailangan nila,” Guerra said.
DSBMMH Chief Romeo G. Montañer said the facility is exactly what they need right now. “We hope this will reduce the incidence of the Covid-19,” he said.
“Sa totoo lang yung mga pasyente namin ay hindi lamang galing dito sa second district ng LDS, it also extends up to the Iranun municipalities of Maguindanao, even to Zamboanga, and the first district of this province,” Montañer said.
To date, there are two (2) BARMM-funded isolation centers in Lanao province, three (3) in Maguindanao, two (2) in Basilan, one (1) in Sulu, and another one (1) in Tawi-Tawi. In addition, the Bangsamoro Government is currently constructing isolation facilities in Cotabato City, Datu Odin Sinsuat Municipality in Maguindanao, and Luuk Municipality in Sulu.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Dr. Bashary Latiph emphasized the necessity of Covid-19 facilities in properly segregating the affected patients.
“Alhamdulillah, sa mga panahon na ito ay medyo bumababa na yung ating Covid pandemic data at nagpapasalamat tayo sa ating mga intervention dahil ito ay effective. Pero we cannot lower down our guard, patuloy po natin obserbahan ang minimum health protocol,” said Latiph.
The health minister also appealed to the Bangsamoro people to get vaccinated in order to protect themselves from the virus.
As of October 13, there are 887 active cases in the region with 12,556 recoveries. (Bangsamoro Information Office)
