The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao has started the construction of a PHP11.24-million coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) isolation facility for the Army’s 6th Infantry Division (6ID) inside this camp.

BARRM and 6ID officials, led by BARMM Deputy Executive Secretary Abdullah Cusain and 6ID commander Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, respectively, broke ground at the site of the two-story, 60-bed Covid-19 isolation facility project here on Monday afternoon.

“The project is set to be completed within 45 days,” Cusain told reporters in an interview on Tuesday.

He said the facility is primarily intended for soldiers and personnel of the Joint Task Force Central manning checkpoints and maintaining the peace in communities of Central Mindanao amid the pandemic.

“It is for the use of the 6ID, and they can share it with people in nearby communities if infected with the virus,” Cusain said.

He noted that the regional government has earlier extended the same Covid-19 assistance to various sectors, such as the local government units (LGUs), in constructing similarly needed infrastructures in their areas.

Uy, for his part, thanked the BARMM government for the establishment of a Covid-19 facility inside the camp a reality.

“This will not only benefit the 6ID, but also the armor, marines, air force, naval components, and other support units in the area,” he said in a statement issued also on Tuesday.

He said stakeholders and people from the adjoining Awang village, among others, could also use the Covid-19 facility. (PNA)