The Daily Manila Shimbun

 

Philippine Navy to convert presidential yacht into quarantine facility

April 5, 2020



The Philippine Navy has devised a feasible plan of converting the presidential yacht, BRP Ang Pangulo (ACS 25), into a floating quarantine facility dedicated for coronavirus disease patients.

In a statement released on Saturday, the Navy said converting the presidential yacht was decided after President Rodrigo Duterte expressed his desire to utilize the ship.

“ACS 25 is currently deployed in Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao to augment the Davao operational base of the Presidential Security Group (PSG),” it said.

“Initially, plans are made to ensure that the ship is prepared to accommodate persons that are now under monitoring and investigation due to COVID-19,” it added.

Philippine Navy said a total of 28 patients can be accommodated aboard the ship with five medical staff personnel.

“There are three exclusive compartments that will be prepared for the patients with a temporary division in place. A 3-meter distance will be strictly observed between patients. Different entry points will be made for the patients and medical staff,” it said.

On the other hand, the ship’s crew will remain on board even if it is used as a quarantine station. It added entry points to the crew’s billeting area and other compartments from the area of the patients will be sealed off.

The commanding officer of the BRP Ang Pangulo is already coordinating with the local Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) units and government hospitals in Davao to support the medical equipment and other essential requirements needed for the floating quarantine facility.

“The Philippine Navy is fully committed to support the Bayanihan to Heal As One (Act) initiative by devoting its personnel and resources as it explores all possible mean to contain and defeat the spread of the coronavirus disease in the country,” it said. Ella Dionisio/DMS