MANILA, Philippines—The group of business tycoon Manuel V. Pangilinan is converting part of the First Pacific Leadership Academy in Antipolo, Rizal province into a COVID-19 quarantine facility for employees.
The move was meant to decongest hospitals in Metro Manila as they struggle to find room for patients given the surge in COVID-19 cases.
A venue for executive training courses and corporate team building activities, the group said in a statement on Tuesday (April 20) that part of the complex was repurposed and now has 240 air-conditioned quarantine tents and beds.
The facility will be staffed with doctors and nurses while meals, medical supplies, and phone and internet connectivity will be provided.
Employees who test positive for SARS Cov2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, will be given quarantine leave, which is separate from standard sick leave credits, the group said.
“Our efforts to take care of our workforce aim to reduce overall community transmission, while protecting and providing breathing space to hospitals and medical front liners, who have been our anchor and support as we continue to battle this pandemic,” Pangilinan said in a statement.
Pangilinan, who had previously admitted to contracting and recovering from COVID-19 twice, said the group’s employees were the “backbone of all our companies that have allowed us to be contributors in moving for economic recovery.”
Pangilinan heads some of the country’s largest companies, including telecommunications giant PLDT Inc. and Metro Pacific Investments Corp., whose businesses span energy, water services, toll roads, hospitals, railways and logistics.
The group earlier announced plans to provide vaccines to all employees, qualified dependents and their household members.
TSB