The Philippine Navy (PN) is preparing the conversion of the B.R.P Ang Pangulo presidential yacht as a quarantine facility for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients.
In a recent public address, President Rodrigo Duterte stated that he wants to turn the reliable ships of the PN especially the 60-year-old ship intended for the President into floating hospitals.
The B.R.P. Ang Pangulo is currently in Eastern Mindanao as augmentation force of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) based in Davao.
According to PN Chief Vice Admiral Giovanni Bacordo, the commanding officer of the Presidential Yacht, Commander Marissa Arlene Andres-Martinez has started coordinating with several hospitals for the preparation of the yacht.
It can only accommodate 28 persons under investigation (PUIs) and persons under monitoring (PUMs) and only 5 medical personnel.
The 3-meter distance among patients, and the designation of different entry points from the patients and staff will be strictly implemented for their protection.
The Navy ensures that the facility will be open to any patients and will not be selective. They are also prepared to turn several of their facilities as quarantine centers. However, the B.R.P. Ang Pangulo will be the only quarantine facility for now.
PN Chief Vice Admiral Bacardo explained that their patrol mission can be affected if they are going to convert their active ships into quarantine centers. – Report form Bea Bernardo
