Benguet Covid Isolation area nearly built

By Redjie Melvic Cawis

TUBLAY, Benguet -- The first Covid-19 isolation facility built by the Department of Public Works and Highways in Benguet is nearing completion.

    District Engineer Romelda Bangasan of the Dept. of Public Works and Highways Benguet Second District Engineering Office reported during the Benguet Provincial Inter Agency Task Force meeting the facility at Barangays Ambongdolan   in this municipality is now on its finishing stage and ready this month.

    The Covid-19 isolation facility has 20-bed capacity and   made up of structural steel and concrete.

    It has toilets and bathrooms, water tanks, a generator and air conditioning system.  

    The project   with a total funding amount of P8, 210,155.00 started last Oct. 5 and was targeted for completion by Dec.  3.

    However, there were some challenges during the construction   such as the low voltage of electricity which hampered the welding works.

    The Benguet Electric Cooperative installed a separate transformer in the area to provide better power outage, Bangasan said. 

    Another challenge is the lack of road networks going to the site. The 75-meter access road proceeding to the site from the provincial road needs improvement.

    Bangasan said the project is part of the proposed medical healthcare facilities for Covid-19 patients and healthcare professionals” by the DPWH-Benguet 2nd DEO.

    She said they were still waiting for the funding of six more facilities in Benguet within 2nd DEO.

    Tublay Mayor Armando Lauro thanked the DPWH for making Tublay the first recipient of the isolation facility which will be a big help in the fight against the Covid-19 in the municipality.

    He said that while the facility is located in Tublay, Covid-19 patients from the nearby towns could also use it 

    Gov. Melchor Diclas assured support of the provincial government in terms of manpower from the Provincial Health Office and the Benguet General Hospital who will manage the isolation facility.

    Meanwhile, another Covid-19 isolation facility in the Benguet General Hospital being constructed by the DPWH - First DEO is also on its finishing stages and is expected to be completed by Dec.  25. – PIA Cordillera