LEGAZPI CITY (PIA) -- The P108.5 million worth of health infrastructure constructed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has expanded the capacity of Bicol region to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.

As of June 21, Monday, 83.8 percent of the 500 beds in these isolation and treatment facilities remains vacant, according to a spokesperson of the regional office of the DPWH.

At the Ugnayan sa Bicol public briefing on Monday, Lucy Castañeda, information officer for DPWH-5, said Camarines Norte has three of these facilities; Masbate, one; and Albay and Camarines Sur have six apiece.

DPWH 5 recently reported that there were still 73 vacant beds in some quarantine facilities in the third district of Albay.

Out of 90, there were still 80 unused beds in isolation facilities in Camarines Norte.

The medical healthcare facilities for COVID-19 patients and healthcare professionals that can cater to 20 patients in Libmanan, Camarines Sur remained vacant.

Exactly 147 beds were still available in three makeshift facilities in Naga City.

Cubicle isolation with 40 beds in Goa, Camarines Sur remained unoccupied. Likewise, two units of health facility tents in Bato with 20 bed-capacity were still open.

In Masbate, all facilities with 48 beds were still unfilled.

These facilities, installed with internet connection and built with adequate internet, water and electricity supply, also serve as an augmentation to local government units’ capacity to cope with the rising number of COVID-cases in the region, Castañeda said. (KAB/PIA Bicol)