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MANILA - The conversion of all 3 government buildings into facilities for COVID-19 will take 10 days, a spokesperson for the Department of Public Works and Highways that is in charge of the project said Wednesday.

Construction started Wednesday at the Philippine International Convention Center, Rizal Stadium and the World Trade Center, DPWH spokesperson Anna Mae Lamentillo told DZMM.

One of the 3 facilities will be operational within the week, while the rest will be ready in 10 days, Lamentillo said. Nine more areas were identified for conversion if needed.

Each facility will be divided into 3: the contaminated zone for patients, the sterile zone or holding areas for health workers and the buffer zone to provide a space for preparation of personal protective equipment, she said.

"Binigyan po kami ng 10-day deadline para tapusin ang conversion and redesigning," Lamentillo said.

(We were given 10 days to finish the conversion and redesigning)

The Villar, Ayala and Razon groups pledged support for the initiative, Lamentillo said.

• Overloaded: Some major Metro Manila hospitals unable to receive more COVID-19 patients

St. Luke’s Medical Center Quezon City and Taguig, Makati Medical Center, and The Medical City in Pasig City earlier said they were unable to accommodate more COVID-19 patients due to overcapacity.

The Philippines as of Tuesday confirmed 2,084 COVID-19 cases with 88 deaths and 49 recoveries.