AFP turns over 2 more quarantine facilities in Muntinlupa

THE ARMED Forces of the Philippines (AFP) turned over two emergency quarantine facilities (EQFs) to Muntinlupa City on Tuesday, bringing the number of facilities constructed by the military and private stakeholders to 72.

In a statement Wednesday, Navy Capt. Jonathan Zata said the construction of these EQFs located in Barangay Sucat was completed on June 19.

A total of 23 personnel from the 1st Naval Waterfront Construction Battalion, Naval Combat Engineering Brigade of the Philippine Navy spearheaded the construction activities.

"(These) EQFs will serve as additional triage to decongest hospital wards as part of the government’s efforts in battling the (coronavirus disease) Covid-19 pandemic," he added.

These newly-completed EQFs in Muntinlupa City have a bed capacity of 40. The EQF team has so far completed 72 of their targeted 75 EQFs to build within and outside Metro Manila since they started last March 28.

The three remaining projects include units in Taguig-Pateros District Hospital through the 51st Engineering Brigade.

Meanwhile, the two EQFs in Muntinlupa were funded by Reckitt Benckiser Philippines, WTA Architecture+Design Studio and with the support of AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Filemon T. Santos and Office of the Chief Engineer, Maj. Gen. William Ilagan.

Present during the turnover ceremonies were Ilagan, Architect William Ti of WTA Architecture + Designs, and Mayor Jaime Fresnedi of Muntinlupa City.

“As we draw closer to the fulfillment of our goals, we thank the hardworking personnel of the AFP who became our partners in the construction of these facilities. Indeed, our soldiers are reliable when it comes to selfless service,” Ti said.

Santos, meanwhile, commended the efforts of military personnel involved in the ECQ construction for their hard work and dedication.

"We also thank the other government agencies and private entities for their benevolence and generosity as we battle this health crisis hand in hand. Your trust is more than enough for us to continue serving our country to the best (of) our abilities. For that, we will remain committed to the fulfillment of our mandate and the success of this collaborative project," he said. (By Priam Nepomuceno)