The Manila Mega Covid Field Hospital in Rizal Park, with a 336-bed capacity, is expected to be finished in two months.

Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, who led Tuesday’s groundbreaking ceremony along with Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan, and National Task Force (NTF) Against Covid-19 Chief Implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., said the city government allotted PHP154 million for the construction.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, NTF Deputy Chief Implementer Vince Dizon, and Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat also attended the event.

“We can prepare Metro Manila for the next 5 months, good or bad situation, for the remaining of the year with regards to Covid bed availability for mild and moderate cases so that we can help doctors, nurses, the medical front-liners,” Domagoso said in his speech.

He said the facility will “unclog” hospitals and avoid cases of Covid-19 patients left unattended while waiting to be admitted.

If necessary, Domagoso said the city can have additional 100 beds.

“We will try to equip the hospital so that it can continue to serve with efficiency,” he said.

About 150 medical front-liners will be assigned to the mobile hospital while the airconditioned modular containers will be equipped with an inter-communication facility for easier and safer exchange.

There will also be separate facilities for female and male patients and oxygen tank casings will be on standby in every container.

Even non-Manila residents will be admitted.

“We will approach this inclusively because this is a universal problem. We cannot give up,” Domagoso said. (PNA)