SMC partners with AFP in building extra quarantine facilities

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

San Miguel Corporation (SMC) partnered with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in building 10 new emergency quarantine facilities (EQF) to accommodate more patients and lessen overcrowding among hospitals.

SMC President and Chief Operating Officer Ramon S. Ang confirmed that the 10 facilities are now under construction and will be ready as soon as possible to cater to COVID-19 patients.

“We are thankful to the Armed Forces of the Philippines for giving us the opportunity to collaborate with them on this initiative. This is one way we can help our hospitals efficiently attend to COVID-19 patients with severe symptoms as well those suffering from other life-threatening conditions,” said Ang.

Each facility will cater 15 beds and will be placed alongside the different military health facilities: NOLCOM Hospital in Tarlac, SOLCOM Hospital in Lucena City, Eastmincom Hospital in Davao City, CENTCOM Hospital in Cebu City, Westmincom Hospital in Zamboanga City, Veterans Memorial Center, CJVAB Hospital in Pasay City, Naval Air Group in Cavite City and WESCOM Hospital in Palawan.

Ang added that both SMC and AFP are still looking for more areas convertible to medical facilities regarding their next project where they are planning to create emergency rooms.

“We are one with the country in finding ways to accommodate more patients as hospitals reach their full capacity. These emergency COVID facilities we are helping build will serve not just our military front liners but also other PUIs in surrounding communities,” Ang added.