(SPOT.ph) Several facilities across the nation have been turned into makeshift quarantine centers to help decongest hospitals amid the COVID-19 pandemic. It's a little strange to see these huge structures—from stadiums to convention centers and even ships—be outfitted as a medical facility, but we more than welcome the helpful change. The Department of Public Works and Highways has been busy transforming these facilities, and while there are more to come, we round up a few examples of those that have already been completed.
Take a look at a few quarantine facilities in and around Metro Manila:
Two private passenger ships of 2Go company
Returning seafarers and Overseas Filipino Workers are all required to undergo a 14-day quarantine period—so these two ships are a sure help. The floating hospitals can accommodate around 1,500 patients. Plus, Dennis Uy, chairman of the 2Go group, has said that the company will be waiving the P35 million rental fee they originally charged the government.
Philippine Arena, Santa Maria and Bocaue, Bulacan
A mega-quarantine center over at the Philippine Arena was completed on April 29. Three huge tents at the complex of the world's biggest indoor arena were turned into a medical facility with 300 beds.
ASEAN Convention Center, Clark, Pampanga
This huge convention center at the Clark Freeport Zone has 150 beds and was readied on April 12. The nearby National Government Administrative Center in New Clark City, Tarlac, also has around 400 beds, but authorities are looking to maximize the area to accept 1000 patients.
PhilSports Arena, Pasig City, Metro Manila
The Philsports Arena—a.k.a. ULTRA—looks a hell of a lot different from how we usually imagine it. The popular sports hub has been converted into a 132-bed quarantine facility; It took only three days to retrofit the arena, according to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Philippine International Convention Center, Pasay City, Metro Manila
The humongous Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) Forum Halls were turned into a mega-quarantine facility and turned over to the Philippine National Police Medical Corps on April 15 by the DPWH. It houses 294 patient cubicles and six nurse stations.
BRP Ang Pangulo
The presidential yacht was also converted into a quarantine facility. This floating hospital was readied on April 12 and can accommodate 28 patients plus five medical crew.
Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Rizal Memorial Complex, Manila
The Ninoy Aquino Stadium was one of the first quarantine facilities that were completed within the Metro on April 8. It houses 112 beds with two nurse stations. "This facility, along with the other facilities that are going to be built, is geared towards that—to decongest our hospitals and also to move patients from communities to facilities like these to control the spread," Vince Dizon, Presidential Adviser for Flagship Programs and Projects, told CNN Philippines' The Source.