AFP, architectural firm turns over three EQFs to Marikina hospital

May 4, 2020

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the WTA Architecture+Design Studio turned over three emergency quarantine facilities (EQF) to Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center (ARMMC) in Marikina on Monday.

Capt. Jonathan Zata, AFP public affairs chief. said the EQFs with a total capacity of 120 beds were funded by Marikina City and partly by United Architects of the Philippines-Manila Chapter.

"The construction was made possible by the Office of The Chief Engineer AFP led by Major Gen William Ilagan and volunteers Danny Ko and Leah Longalong," he said.

Zata said AFP Inspector General Lt Gen Ramon Ang Lim led the ceremony with Marikina Mayor Marcelino Teodoro, AFP Chief Engineer Major Gen William Ilagan, 51st Engineering Brigade's BGen Emmanuel Anthony Ramos, and WTA architect William Ti Jr, lead project of the EQF Team.

Lim expressed gratitude to all partners who supported the project.

"I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to everyone who made this endeavor possible and for everyone who extended their support," he said.

"The AFP deeply appreciates this assistance and partnership. We hope that this will continue to inspire everyone to contribute in winning this challenge," Lim said.

Zata said the EQF team is pushing to build a total of 62 emergency quarantine facilities.

"As of May 3, the group of volunteer architects and firms has constructed 56 facilities with six others still being constructed," he said.

Eight EQFs were built to augment military hospitals--three in Army General Hospital, two in V Luna Medical Center, one in Philippine Air Force General Hospital, one in Fernando Air Base Hospital, and one in Manila Naval Hospital, said Zata.

"The EQFs are designed to treat and isolate COVID-19 patients with mild to no symptoms and should help decongest hospitals and increase the country’s capacity to contain the COVID-19 pandemic," he added. Robina Asido/DMS