The Philippine government looks into sports arenas as temporary medical facilities to help decongest hospitals overwhelmed by patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Sports facilities under the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) such as Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila and Philsports Arena in Pasig City were assessed by the Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to know how they can be utilized in the country’s fight against coronavirus pandemic.
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DOH has yet to determine how these facilities will be used as temporary facilities in line with the department’s requirements for COVID-19 response.
PSC Chairman William Ramirez told GMA News that the venues being eyed at the PhilSports Complex are the multi-purpose arena and the track oval, while the Rizal Memorial Coliseum, Ninoy Aquino Stadium and the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium are the possible facilities to be utilized at the RMSC.
“These times call for unselfish patriotism. These times call for everyone to be heroes, even. Let us step up to the plate, so to speak. This is us, the sporting community stepping up to bat,” Ramirez pointed out.
The PSC chairman said the PSC volunteered the facilities in accordance with President Rodrigo Duterte’s executive orders in fight against coronavirus pandemic.
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Ramirez added that he already discussed the proposal to Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea.
The PSC is now crafting plans to ensure that athletes and staff staying at the said venues were safe and isolated from the areas to be converted into temporary medical facilities.
“Thorough disinfection of the venues will be undertaken regularly and after their use,” Senior executive assistant and national training director Marc Velasco said.
The Philippines has 1418 cases of COVID-19, including 72 fatalities and 42 recoveries as of March 29.
