Ayon kay BI Warden Facility (BIWF) Chief Remiecar Caguiron, magsisilbi ang bagong pasilidad bilang quarantine ward ng COVID-19 positive persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) na may mild hanggang moderate symptoms.
Katuwang sa naturang proyekto ang International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Department of Justice, at Bureau of Corrections upang maiwasan ang pagkalat ng nakakahawang sakit.
“In the past, we used the custodial quarters of our detention facility in Camp Bagong Diwa to isolate COVID-positive PDLs,” pahayag ni Caguiron.
Limitado aniya ang kanilang warden facility at nananatiling mataas ang bilang ng mga nakakulong na dayuhan.
Kayat paliwanag nito, “this isolation ward lessens the risk, and is a big help in ensuring the health and safety of everyone in the BIWF.”
Ayon sa ahensya, ang BI Ligtas COVID Centre ay may surge capacity ng 30, at kayang maka-accommodate hanggang 60 kung kakailanganin.
Nagpasalamat naman si BI Deputy Commissioner at BI COVID Task Force chair Aldwin Alegre sa ICRC para sa malaking tulong sa pagpapatyo ng isolation ward at pagbibigay ng mga materyales sa operasyon nito.
“We are very thankful for the help of the ICRC. They provided us trainings in management of PDLs, transportation, and custodial security, as well as gave donations of beds, medicines, disinfectants, PPEs, and handwashing sinks,” ani Alegre.
Samantala, plano rin ng BI na magkabit ng CCTV cameras sa pasilidad para sa remote monitoring at upang mas maiwasan ang physical contact.
Magiging 24/7 ang pag-assign ng BIWF personnel t medical personnel sa naturang pasilidad.
Sa ngayon, limang dayuhan ang napaulat na positibo sa nakakahawang sakit.
Nasa 315 dayuhan naman ang nakakulong sa BIWF dahil sa ilang immigration offenses.
“We are thankful that most are recovering already, and we pray that through our efforts, this disease will cease from spreading,” pahayag ni Alegre.
Binati naman ni BI Commissioner Jaime Morente ang hakbang ng BIWF sa gitna ng pandemya.
“We need innovative solutions for these emerging issues… The swift action of our personnel in implementing projects to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 is necessary to save lives,” ani Morente.