Tublay opens isolation facility

Another 20-bed isolation facility was recently inaugurated at Ambongdolan, Tublay, Benguet to cater to Covid-19 patients in the municipality.
Funded by the Department of Public Works and Highways under the Bayanihan 2, the isolation facility is the second to be inaugurated in Benguet, according to Engr. Charles Sokoken of DPWH-CAR.
The first to be funded by the agency is the current facility at the Benguet General Hospital, which was inaugurated in January. Another facility is currently being constructed in Itogon.
Sokoken said the P8.2 million worth facility in Tublay was completed last December however due to restrictions in lockdown, the evaluation and correction of project defects delayed its opening.
Around 11 isolation facilities are to be funded by DPWH for this year through the initiative of the Benguet congressional district office. 
Tublay Mayor Armando Lauro said the rural health unit, municipality, provincial government and the Benguet congressional district office will partner for the management and operation of the facility.
The facility would cater to mostly asymptomatic patients, while the BeGH admits symptomatic patients from the province.
He said it was a challenge to convince the community to put up the isolation facility in the far-flung area but they were able to assure them of their safety.
Gov. Melchor Diclas said the province would support the operation of the isolation facility with the help of the Department of Health.
The operation of Venus Dorm in Baguio City as an additional isolation area for patients from Benguet was already terminated with the construction of various isolation facilities in the province.
Other guests during the launching include Benguet caretaker Rep. Eric Yap, Dr. Alexei Marrero of DOH-CAR, DPWH Benguet 2nd District Engineer Alexander Castañeda, and other local officials of the province. – Ofelia C. Empian