TABUK CITY, Kalinga – Due to the increasing number of Covid-19 cases, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is ready to construct quarantine facilities in the province as soon as funds are available.
The Upper and Lower District Engineering Offices (DEO) have already laid out plans and coordinated with concerned local government units which shall be providing the site for the project.
Upper Kalinga DEO Assistant District Engineer Teodoro Owek said the municipalities under their coverage, namely Balbalan, Lubuagan, Pasil, and Tinglayan are allocated P14 million each for the construction of their own quarantine facility.
Lower Kalinga DEO OIC District Engineer Ruby Uyam said under their jurisdiction, Tabuk was allotted P12.2M; Rizal, P12.2M; Tanudan, P12.7M; and Pinukpuk, P12.4M.
The plan is to build each LGU 10 meter x 15m three 10-bed per unit isolation facility or a total of 30 beds capacity with one comfort room.
The district engineers said the project will be implemented on a negotiated contract to form part of their augmentation to LGUs this pandemic.
The Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers Kalinga Chapter, in partnership with DPWH, is also constructing a separate 16-bed semi-permanent emergency quarantine facility at the Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association grounds in 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, personnel of the DPWH serve as augmentation team at the checkpoint in Talaca, Agbannawag.
Their drivers and vehicles are delivering swab test specimens to Baguio City General Hospital and Medical Center. – Peter A. Balocnit
April 20, 2024
