Navy says presidential yacht ready to accept COVID-19 patients

April 13, 2020

The Philippine Navy announced that the presidential yacht, BRP Ang Pangulo (ACS-25) is ready to accept COVID-19 patients.

Lt. Commander Maria Christina Roxas, acting Navy public affairs director, said the necessary work to transform the vessel into a floating quarantine facility were finished.

Roxas said the "remodelling of the ship began within 48 hours following President Rodrigo Duterte's pronouncement to utilize the ship for coronavirus patients."

"Officers and enlisted personnel aboard ACS-25 spearheaded the transformation of the VIP compartments of the ship into COVID-19 dedicated medical ward and patient rooms that can accommodate a total of 28 patients with five medical personnel," she said.

"Three exclusive compartments were prepared by PN personnel for the patients with temporary division in place observing 3-meter distance between them," Roxas added.

Roxas said the patients and medical staff are given different access points in the ship.

"The crew will remain onboard while the ship is being utilized as a quarantine facility. They were already provided with PPEs while rapid antibody tests were conducted," she said.

All entry points from the crew’s billeting area and other compartments from the temporary medical facility and patient rooms were already sealed off, Roxas added.

President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the Philippine Navy to convert the Ang Pangulo as a quarantine facility for COVID-19 patients. Robina Asido/DMS