Vigan City buys hotel for use as quarantine facility

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The local government of Vigan City in Ilocos Sur is buying a hotel that will serve as a quarantine facility for returning residents.

According to Vigan City Councilor Kirsten Figueres, the city government was prompted to buy Hotel Collado as it lacks quarantine and isolation facilities of its own. He said the city council approved the purchase of the hotel through the Council Committee on Finance.

The city bought the property for P20 million. The hotel will serve returning residents of Vigan City who will come home when movement and pandemic restrictions ease.

Meanwhile, Vigan City Mayor Juan Carlo Singson Medina reminded residents to continuously adhere to health protocols. He said the the healthcare system in the city is overwhelmed and the two existing isolation facilities are reaching full capacities. 

The mayor appealed to Vigan residents to do their part in easing the burden on an already burdened healthcare system. "The premium you place on your health and safety now will give you the future you envisioned to happen," he said.