The municipal government of Busuanga is preparing its convention center as a temporary treatment and monitoring facility (TTMF) for locally stranded individuals (LSIs) and returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs).
The Busuanga Convention Center, located in the Municipal Government Complex, which began construction during the previous administration, is entering its fifth and final phase of construction.
On May 28, Busuanga mayor Beth Cervantes conducted a final inspection on the premises. The area has 18 bedrooms for suspect cases and another 10 for confirmed COVID-19 cases.
“Ang design ng convention center ay naaayon naman sa DOH (Department of Health) guidelines. Dito ilalagay ang ating mga LSIs at ROFs na babalik sa Busuanga. May naka-allocate na 18 bedrooms para sa mga suspect cases at may 10 bedrooms naman na allocated para sa mga confirmed cases,” said Jonathan Dabuit, Busuanga information officer.
The convention center was designed to host some 300 persons. It also has accommodation facilities that will serve as isolation rooms for symptomatic LSIs and ROFs.
“Para naman sa mga LSIs at ROFs na asymptomatic, sila naman ay ika-quarantine for 14 days sa municipal evacuation center. Pagkatapos ng 14 days, uuwi naman sila sa mga kanya-kanyang tahanan at home quarantined naman sila dapat for seven days,” said Dabuit.
The local government unit (LGU) will also be using their municipal evacuation center for asymptomatic LSIs and ROFs. The evacuation center currently has 34 beds prepared and will be adding more once the sacks of rice have been cleared on the ground floor.
“Sa ngayon ay nakikiusap si Mayor Cervantes sa DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government) na payagan na gamitin ng LGU ang mga daycare center, barangay offices, at barangay health units para maging additional isolation facilities. Pinapakiusapan niya rin ang DepEd (Department of Education) para magamit din ang mga public schools,” said Dabuit.
The LGU hopes that the DILG and DepEd will grant permission to temporarily use the additional government buildings as isolation facilities to increase their capacity to house LSIs and ROFs. Without additional isolation facilities, the town may not be able to accept inbound visitors even if Palawan transitions to modified general community quarantine.
“Kung sakaling puwede na ang inter-municipal travel, sana ay payagan kami ng DILG at DepEd na gamitin ang mga buildings nila para higit pa sa 68 persons per batch ang kaya naming tanggapin. Kasi kung hindi, by batch lang kami makakatanggap ng mga inbound travelers,” said Dabuit.
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