The Seventh Day
Turn the World Trade Center Manila into a COVID-19 health facility in just one week? Nothing is impossible in construction, says MDC general manager Jowell San Jose
Words by JOY ROJAS
With over two decades of experience in the Philippines’ vibrant construction scene, Jowell San Jose has just about seen and done it all.
“I’ve been in the industry for 25 years, so nothing is impossible for us when it comes to construction,” said the civil engineer, who earned his chops with notable construction firms like DM Consunji, Inc., Century Property Management and Construction Corp., and Megawide Construction Corporation before joining Makati Development Corporation (MDC) in 2018. Jowell is assistant vice president and general manager of the South-based properties of MDC, the construction arm of Ayala Land, Inc.
First time
Still, there’s always a first time, and for this veteran, that “first time” was transforming sprawling exhibition and events place World Trade Center Metro Manila (WTC Manila) into a 502-bed health facility for COVID-19 patients. The project is part of government’s Task Force T3 (Test, Trace, Treat), a private-public sector initiative to address the growing rate of COVID-19 cases in the country.
The catch? The job had to be done in seven days. Working under restrictive enhanced community quarantine measures and amidst the highly contagious novel coronavirus only added to the degree of difficulty.
““We knew that we would be exposing ourselves to an enemy that we cannot see.””
“We knew that we would be exposing ourselves to an enemy that we cannot see. So I was a bit worried at that time,” he said. “But, of course, it’s my job, and I told myself, ‘I just need to protect myself.’”
It was in late March when Jowell sat down with key officials of MDC, the Department of Health (DOH), and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to discuss the details of the project. The GM had just overseen the conversion of the Philippine Red Cross headquarters in Mandaluyong City into a COVID-19 testing center.
Collaboration. Jowell (left) represents MDC in a meeting with other key players in the WTC fit out: the Armed Forces of the Philippines, which will provide the medical teams, led by Col. Battala (left table); the WTC team headed by President and CEO Pamela Pascual (far table), and the AC Energy team headed by Anabelle Natividad (right table).
Semi-hospital
“It’s not an ordinary hospital, and the structure itself is not a hospital, but we need to convert it into a semi-hospital,” he said of WTC Manila. “We didn’t have any idea how it would work and how we were going to prepare the plans.”
Nevertheless, he got the ball rolling, presenting initial plans to the DOH and DPWH, and assembling a team of 200—all volunteers from various MDC projects—to begin work once the plans were approved. To expedite the process, he borrowed construction materials from MDC projects under his jurisdiction. When the materials arrived on the morning of April 2, work began promptly in the afternoon and ended at midnight. The following day and until turnover on April 8, they worked for 24 hours in day and night shifts.
#AyalaCitizen Diary: Over 200 people from various MDC projects volunteered to work on the WTC conversion.
In addition to the 502 beds enclosed in safe and clean partitions made of the same aluminum frame used by WTC Manila for its exhibitions, the facility features examination rooms, doctors’ work areas, nurses’ stations, quarters for the medical staff, shower cubicles, and portable toilets found outside the building.
“To expedite the process, he borrowed construction materials from MDC projects under his jurisdiction. Until turnover on April 8, they worked for 24 hours in day and night shifts. ”
Top priority
Like the patients who would be recovering in WTC Manila, the health and safety of the construction workers against COVID-19 was equally a top priority. Facemasks, face shields, and goggles recommended by the DOH and MDC Medical Director Dr. Michael Miranda were supplied to the team. Workers were also reminded to observe social distancing.
“Mahirap; mainit sa loob,” admitted Jowell, of how the team managed under such unusual conditions. “But the team pressed on, getting some well-deserved rest at the end of their shift when they were shuttled back to their barracks at Circuit Makati.
As agreed, the project was completed and turned over in seven days.
Made with Grit. The partitions are made from high-quality aluminum frames that WTC uses for its exhibits. It was challenging to find construction materials because stores and roads were shut down during quarantine, but MDC found suppliers and completed the project ahead of schedule.
Just a “normal” project
Despite taking precautions, members of the team—four engineers and some nurses—contracted COVID-19 on the job. Jowell isn’t sure exactly where or when they got it. After WTC Manila, the team returned to Red Cross to do more work. Free swab tests offered by the headquarters confirmed their worst fear.
“I wasn’t worried for myself, but for my family,” said Jowell, who tested negative. For his part, the father of three was extra fastidious, taking off his clothes before entering the house and grabbing a quick shower prior to dinner and talking to his children. With two future engineers in his brood, this father hopes that his kids will eventually appreciate their dad’s role as a frontliner in one of the most precarious times in history.
Partnerships. Jowell leads the MDC team while coordinating with key officials of the Department of Health (DOH), and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) , which are the lead government agencies working on the conversion of the WTC into a quarantine facility.
“Honestly, I treated the project as a normal project, same as everything else I’m handling,” he said in retrospect. “But a week after completing it, I realized it’s not an ordinary project. Like I’ve said, sanay na tayo sa construction, and with just a little effort, I was able to share my skills, talents, and time, not only with the company, but with Filipinos and the whole country.” #
PUBLISHED AUGUST 26, 2020
