Abra college allows use of dorm as isolation facility

By Juliet D. Pilotin

BANGUED, Abra  -- A dormitory in Divine Word College of Bangued (DWCB) was freely opened by the church to serve as an isolation unit for the municipality.

DWCB president Rev. Fr. Gil Manalo said the Bangued local government unit headed by Acting Mayor Joaquin Enrico Bernos sought the assistance of the church, and since it is for humanitarian mission, the SVD (Societas VerbiDivini – Society of the Divine Word) congregation did not hesitate to allow the use of the dormitory in these trying times.

A memorandum of agreement was made between the Bangued LGU and DWCB that the Arnoldus Dormitory will be used for three months from July 1 to September 30, 2020. It is renewable depending on the Covid-19 situation.

The facility can accommodate 40 to 45 persons. The LGU would only pay for the electric and water consumption.

At the moment, there are more than 30 individuals who are housed at the dormitory for the mandatory 14-day quarantine.

Fr. Manalo reiterated that Divine Word College of Bangued and the church are always willing to lend a helping hand especially in this COVID-19 pandemic.

Due to limited quarantine facilities, the provincial government with the approval of the IATF temporarily suspended the repatriation of locally stranded individuals (LSIs) from Metro Manila from July 16, 2020 to July 31, 2020.  to let the LSIs finish their quarantine period at their respective isolation units. This is to give time for the LSIs and returning overseas Filipinos to complete their 14 day quarantine for the disinfection and sanitation of the facilities. (JDP/XADC/CAGT – PIA CAR, Abra)