Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 29) — The Philsports Complex in Pasig City and the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila will be turned into COVID-19 facilities to help decongest hospitals.

This was confirmed by Philippine Sports Commission chairman William “Butch” Ramirez in a statement on Sunday.

According to Ramirez, the Department of Public Works and Highways has sent its staff to the Philsports Complex to assess it. They are also set to visit the RMSC next week.

The facilities are newly-renovated, fully air-conditioned, and have a steady water supply, the PSC chairman said. He added that the move to turn these sports venues into medical facilities will not put athletes at risk as most of them have already left for their respective homes.

Earlier, the PSC also donated mattresses for COVID-19 medical frontliners.

“These times call for unselfish patriotism,” Ramirez said. “Let us step up to the plate, so to speak. This is us, the sporting community stepping up to bat."