Quarantine buildings to be built in Kalinga

By Peter A. Balocnit

CITY OF TABUK, Kalinga - - Gearing up for Covid-19 cases, the Dept. of Public Works and Highways is set to construct quarantine facilities in the province. 

The Upper and Lower District Engineering Offices made project plans and coordinated with concerned local government units who will provide the quarantine sites.

Assistant district engineer Teodoro Owek said   municipalities under their coverage -- Balbalan, Lubuagan, Pasil and Tinglayan were allocated P14 million each for the construction of their own quarantine facility.  

Lower Kalinga OIC district engineer Ruby Uyam   said under their jurisdiction, Tabuk was allotted P12.2 million;  Rizal, P12.2M;  Tanudan,  12.7M;  and Pinukpuk, P 12.4M.

The plan is to build each LGU 10m x 15m three 10-beds per unit isolation facility or a total of 30 beds capacity with one unit comfort room.

Both district engineers said the project will be implemented on a negotiated contract to form part of their augmentation to LGUs this pandemic.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE) - Kalinga Chapter, in partnership with DPWH, is also constructing a separate 16-beds semi-permanent emergency quarantine facility at the Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association grounds located at this city from donations of their members, contractors and other private individuals.

Ground preparations are ongoing, said Owek.  

Aside from helping LGUs build COVID-19 facilities, volunteer personnel of both DPWH districts serve as frontliners alternately assigning staff as augmentation team at the checkpoint in Talaca, Agbannawag.

Their drivers and vehicles also deliver swab test specimens to Baguio City General Hospital and Medical Center. -- JDP/PAB-PIA CAR, Kalinga