SM builds 7 emergency quarantine facilities in Metro Manila

Published May 3, 2020, 8:00 AM

SM, through SM Foundation, Inc. (SMFI), recently constructed seven insulated emergency quarantine facilities (EQFs) in Pasay and Quezon City to house and treat patients infected with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Built by the SM Engineering Design and Development (SM EDD) team, and WTA Architecture and Design Studio, these include four facilities in Camp Crame and two facilities at the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Health Service Command – V. Luna in Quezon City, as well as one at the Air Force General Hospital – Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.

One of two EQFs built at the AFP Health Service Command – V. Luna in Quezon City.

The EQF at the Air Force General Hospital at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.

Completed within a span of six to ten days, these feature a total of 156 beds, air conditioning units, ceiling fans, exhaust fans, restrooms, shower areas, and nurse lounges. The EQFs will accommodate COVID-19 patients who are asymptomatic or with mild symptoms.

In the Camp Crame EQFs, each bed has a built-in call system and patients will have access to Wi-Fi connectivity. Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Archie Gamboa thanked SM EDD President Hans ‘Chico’ Sy Jr. and WTA Architecture and Designs for their contributions to the facilities.

Apart from contributing to the ongoing fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, this social initiative also served as a platform for volunteeriSM for SM employees, especially those from SM EDD.

SM EDD and WTA Architecture and Design Studio built four facilities in Camp Crame in Quezon City.

Each bed in the Camp Crame EQFs has a built-in call system and access to Wi-Fi connectivity.

Through the EQF project, SM EDD employees were able to volunteer their time and expertise to construct the insulated EQFs, an initiative that received encouragement and strong support from Sy Jr.

SMFI’s Leadership Team expressed its gratitude to SM EDD volunteers for carrying out its purpose and commitment to provide EQFs to its partners in the uniformed service.

“We have courageous employee volunteers from SM EDD, sharing their expertise and time amidst COVID-19. We’re proud to support their contribution during this time of incredible need,” the team added.

SM Foundation also thanked its partners, the Air Force General Hospital, AFP Health Service Command, and WTA Architecture and Design Studio, as “saving lives is critical during this pandemic.”

The building of insulated EQFs is one of SM’s initiatives in line with its commitment to be of service to the Filipino public, its hospitals, and government during the coronavirus pandemic.

Earlier, SM, through SM Foundation donated over P170 million worth of personal protective equipment, testing kits, and intensive care unit-grade ventilators to over 100 hospitals and medical institutions.

SOURCE: https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/05/03/sm-builds-7-emergency-quarantine-facilities-in-metro-manila/