“We have been preparing for a COVID-19 surge since April,” said Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr.
Defensor assured that funding from the 2021 annual budget has been set aside for procurement of equipment or hiring of additional medical personnel.
The provincial government of Iloilo manages the Iloilo Provincial Hospital and 12 other smaller hospitals scattered in five districts.
“If needed, we will have additional beds in these hospitals,” Defensor said.
In case of overflow, the provincial government will utilize the Iloilo Sports Complex, a sports arena it owns in this city.
Aside from additional beds and utilization of the Iloilo Sports Complex, the said the Iloilo Provincial Hospital in Pototan has spare COVID-19 testing machines at the COVID-19 molecular laboratory.