World Trade Center converted into 500-bed COVID-19 facility

WTC is now a 500-bed COVID-19 facility

The Ayala group of companies has completed the conversion of part of the World Trade Center (WTC) in Pasay City into a 500-bed temporary healthcare facility catering to COVID-19 patients.

The project, dubbed “WTC We Heal as One Center,” was collectively supported by Ayala-led companies Ayala Land Inc., Globe Telecom Inc., Manila Water Co. Inc., Integrated Micro-Electronics Inc. (IMI), and AC Energy Inc., together with the ICCP Group and Manila Exhibition Center Inc.(MEC).

“When the national government asked for Ayala Land’s support, we immediately mobilized and pooled our resources to assist in the best way we can,” Ayala Land president and chief executive officer Bernard Vincent Dy said in a press statement on Wednesday.

“We hope that this facility will help our country get through the COVID-19 pandemic. We are privileged to work with like-minded partners who want to do what’s best for the Filipino people,” Dy added.

The project was also supported by the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA).

The Ayala group pooled P46.4 million for this project. Ayala Land unit Makati Development Corp. (MDC) headed the fit-out construction for 9,700 square meters of space at WTC in a span of seven days.

Following the layout and design by MDC with guidance from the Department of Health and architect Daniel Lichauco, the facility features 500 beds enclosed in safe, clean, and controlled isolation cubicles, alongside examination rooms, nurses’ stations, doctors’ work areas, and medical staff quarters.

Globe Telecom funded a large portion of the facility’s construction cost, and also provided unlimited Wi-Fi services.

“Collaboration between the public and private sectors is vital during these times, and we will continue to lend support to the government to help the country recover from this pandemic soon,” Ayala Land chair Fernando Zobel de Ayala said.

Meanwhile, MEC provided the space in WTC rent-free. It also supplied bathroom toiletries in addition to security and janitorial services.

WTC is among the largest events facilities in the country. It has hosted several big gatherings such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in 2017 and the Southeast Asian Games in 2019.

The converted facility was turned over on April 14 to the Armed Forces of the Philippines Health Service Command, who will serve as its medical operator.

For its continued operations, AC Energy donated 500 bedframes and pillows and committed to cover 50 percent of the facility’s electricity costs until May 31, 2020. Partner donor Manila Electric Co. has pledged to cover the other half.

For its part, Manila Water built 27 private cubicle shower areas for patients and 10 in a converted container van for medical workers.

IMI is providing two sanitation booths at the entrance of the facility and another two at the exit.

Other donors include: The Philippine Constructors Association, which contributed cubicles for the facility; Smart Communications Inc., which set up the WiFi internet connectivity; and San Miguel Corp., which is supplying the center’s alcohol requirements.

MDC construction partners also contributed supplies and equipment to complete the fit-out of the facility. Collectively, Ayala’s partners in this initiative contributed P29.5 million.

Several companies were tapped to provide security, cleaning and maintenance, and laundry services. Food commissary suppliers and a cafeteria operator have also been recruited.

The cost of medical equipment, supplies, and services will be shouldered by the national government, along with private donors and other financiers.