THE PHILIPPINE Red Cross has tapped several universities in Metro Manila to help in the country’s efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease.

The PRC helped set up isolation facilities at the Ateneo De Manila University, University of the Philippines, and De La Salle University.

“The general objective is to remove the asymptomatic spreader in a multi-generational household, or those families living with grandparents and little children, para maiwasang makapanghawa pa sila. We will put them in isolation centers like in Ateneo, La Salle or UP starting this week so we can provide for them. Ready na kaming maglagay ng beds, may showers na doon at toilets, at may pagkain. They will be taken care of,” PRC chairman and Senator Richard Gordon said.

Gordon added that the families of patients in isolation, especially those who are breadwinners, will also be given food assistance.

He said that PRC staff and volunteers are converting 32 ADMU classrooms into isolation units.

“Ateneo President Fr. Yap even offered to fundraise among the Ateneo alumni to help support the facility, and I am more than grateful for their solidarity with our efforts,” the senator said.

UP Diliman on the other hand offered 96 dormitory rooms of its newly retrofitted Kamia Residence Hall, which the PRC has started equipping with furniture for a maximum of three patients for each room.

The PRC is also making arrangements for patient monitoring via telemedicine with the help of the Philippine Medical Association and Philippine Nurses Association, Inc., and immediate ambulance service to nearby hospitals in case of emergencies.

“We are also reaching out to other universities and organizations within the Metro to help augment the resources of the local government units. Talaga namang kapag ang tao at ang lider ay nagsama-sama, lalabas ang tibay at galing natin laban sa pandemya,” Gordon said.