The cavernous Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan is set to become a “mega-quarantine facility” that will house possible carriers of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) president and CEO Vince Dizon said that the Iglesia ni Cristo has agreed to temporarily turn the venue to a facility for quarantine patients.
The Arena, which has hosted numerous events such as PBA games and the opening ceremonies of the 30th Southeast Asian Games last year, is the world’s largest indoor venue.
“Nagpapasalamat po tayo sa INC, sa Kapatiran,” Dizon said during the Laging Handa briefing, Friday morning.
“Ito po ay magiging mega-quarantine facility sa Central Luzon.”
In Metro Manila, the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, the Philippine International Convention Center, and the World Trade Center are being converted into instant hospitals for more COVID-19 patients.
“Sa Rizal Memorial tuluy-tuloy po ang trabaho natin doon at siguro by Sunday tapos na po fully … Ginagawa rin po ang PICC, ginagawa rin po ang World Trade Center,” Dizon said.
Dizon added that the New Clark City in Tarlac, which was used as a quarantine facility for repatriated seafarers, are now being disinfected for use of persons under investigation in Central Luzon.
Other sports facilities that will be turned into quarantine areas are the Philsports Arena and the Amoranto Stadium.
The government is scaling up its efforts of converting facilities to control the spread of the virus, which has so far infected over 2,600 patients and has caused 107 deaths in the country.
