Bayanihan in the time of COVID - A Story of Hope

Dr. Cesar Ramon G. Espiritu, President & CEO of The Medical City South Luzon (TMCSL) in Santa Rosa, Laguna, was faced with a dilemma. Because of the Luzon-wide lockdown, virtually all hospital operations ceased, except those handling COVID-19 patients. Non-COVID patients were not admitted to the hospital depriving them of medical care. Heads of hospitals in the area and Mayor Arlene B. Arcillas, quickly decided to build a separate facility especially for COVID cases.

 

Engr. Rynor G. Jamandre, President & CEO of Quantity Solutions Inc., offered SpeedFrame, prefabricated container vans that can easily be installed and can isolate COVID patients. Along with Arch. Michael Ray J. Infante of Orion Group International Inc., the trio designed the special hospital.

 

Despite the challenges of budget, lockdown and time, Dr. Espiritu and Engr. Jamandre contacted their network of contractors, suppliers and manufacturers. Instead of cash, the team requested for readily usable materials. Within 48 hours, the group had donations to complete 70% of the project. Through everyone’s generosity, the total capacity of the complex would now be a 27-bed hospital for COVID patients.

 

The project, dubbed as Complex of Hope, is a solid testament of the Bayanihan spirit, showing what we can do as a community when we are united by a common goal for the greater good.

Last May 11th, after less than a month of construction, the medical facility opened its doors. Vice President Leni Robredo graced the blessing and lauded the hospital and the construction team for their collaborative efforts to ensure the safety of the people of Laguna and nearby cities by having a separate facility for the dreaded disease.

 

 

While COVID-19 may be an invisible enemy that can affect anyone, as long as there are people who are kind and generous, we will have a fighting chance to beat this disease.

We salute everyone who was instrumental in seeing this project to its fruition. Your spirit of altruism is a shining beacon of hope amidst this crisis.