CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City – The Office of the Vice President (OVP) in partnership with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) completed another temporary shelter for frontline workers at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) in Quezon City.
An inauguration and blessing ceremony were conducted under strict social distancing protocol on Friday, October 9 with Vice President Leni Robredo as the guest of honor.
Also, in attendance were AFP’s Chief Engineer, Major General Wiliam Ilagan and NKTI Executive Director Rose Marie Rosete-Liquete.
The Philippine Army’s 51st Engineering Brigade provided manpower in the construction of the shelters under the OVP’s Oasis Project. It seeks to provide comfortable sleeping accommodations to medical workers in the frontline against the COVID-19 pandemic. The project also offers health care workers a place where they can rest emotionally and mentally.
“The AFP commends its engineers and personnel who worked tirelessly to complete the facilities under the Oasis Project. This is a vital part of the national effort to lessen the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic by uplifting the morale and welfare of our frontline workers,” General Gilbert Gapay said.
Gapay previously hosted a meeting with Vice President Robredo on September 15 at the General Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo.
The Vice President expressed her gratitude to the whole military organization for its support to the many projects under her office which includes the Oasis Project.
She also commended the AFP for helping the government in its fight against the deadly virus and noted how it has cared for its personnel in the midst of the pandemic.
The AFP Chief on the other hand assured the military’s continuous support to the OVP’s humanitarian assistance programs anchored on maintaining peace and development in the country.
Aside from NKTI, the AFP also provided manpower in the construction of shelters in the Lung Center of the Philippines, Quirino Memorial Medical Center (QMMC), Chinese General Hospital (CGH), and Manila Doctors Hospital (MDH).
Soldiers teamed with the OVP’s partners including architects, construction, industrial and housing companies, hardware stores, and gardening shops to complete the facilities.
“We thank the Vice President for giving the AFP an opportunity to take part in this noble project. Our soldiers will remain open for future partnerships and endeavours that will help lessen the burden of our people as we continue the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic,” Gapay said.