Benguet receives new isolation facility

February 1, 2021 Provincial

La Trinidad, Benguet, Jan. 29(PIA) – Benguet has a new isolation facility that will support its COVID-19 response. Gov. Melchor Diclas, Caretaker Cong. Eric Yap, Board Members Robert Namoro and Nestor Fongwan Jr., La Trinidad Mayor Romeo Salda, and Benguet General Hospital Acting Chief Dr. Meliarazon Dulay received the new isolation facility from the Department of Public Works and Highways- Cordillera Maintenance Division Chief Nelia Antonio and Benguet First District Engineering Office OIC District Engineer Benedicta Mendoza during the inauguration and turn over ceremonies on January 28.
Constructed by the DPWH Benguet DEO, the 16- bed capacity structure worth P13 million is located at the Benguet General Hospital compound in this capital town. Dulay said the facility is a big support to the continuing fight against the COVID-19 as the province continues to record surge of COVID-19 cases. She explained that since last year, BeGH has converted
at least 82 of its 150 beds to accommodate COVID-19 patients as it is the main facility managing COVID patients particularly the symptomatic cases.
Diclas thanked the different agencies such as the Office of Civil Defense, the DPWH and the DOH for their support to the provincial government in its management and response to COVID-19.
The new facility will now be under the provincial government. The Provincial Board also approved the continued hiring of at least 60 health personnel who will serve as frontliners in the fight of the COVID-19 in the BeGH.
Yap also assured continued support to the BeGH in their response to the COVID-19 situation in the province. He personally funded last year the construction of the COVID-19 Molecular Laboratory at the BeGH and is fast tracking its license to operate from the DOH and the RITM. He also provided facilities for the molecular lab.
The BeGH isolation facility is among the structures being built by the DPWH in Benguet along with the isolation facility in Ambongdolan, Tublay which is nearing its completion and another in Ucab, Itogon which just started construction.
(JDP/RMC- PIA CAR)