TESDA will come up with 50M reusable face masks to combat COVID-19

We all know that wearing a mask is no longer a question since there’s always a risk of contracting COVID-19. The face mask works by trapping droplets that a person releases when he/she talks, coughs, or sneezes. It can help in preventing the spread of the virus from those individuals who may be asymptomatic and do not carry any symptoms at all. But for those who are suffering from extreme poverty, even a face mask becomes a luxury. The good news is, TESDA came up with a smart solution.

Photo by Stephanie de Sakutin from Manila Bulletin

FREE face masks for returning OFWs and front-liners

Malacanañg recently ordered to enforce the mandatory wearing of face masks by everybody in public and to apprehend those who fail to comply. Since not everyone cannot afford this basic health protection, TESDA is working on a project to provide this necessity. According to the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, up to 50 million reusable cloth face masks will soon be available for free to the public. Since March, the agency has been creating face masks through a work-from-home livelihood support program for marginal families.

TESDA Deputy Director-General Aniceto Bertiz explained yesterday that the government authorized their agency to produce 50 million reusable masks within the next four months. This is part of government efforts to curb the spread of the pandemic in our country. Bertiz added, “We’ve been tasked to mass-produce the face masks based on required quality standards and at a cost of no more than P15 each.”

He said that TESDA will turn over the face masks to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). Afterward, the agency will hand them over to the provincial, city, and municipal governments for distribution. Also, they are going to provide free face masks to returning Filipino migrant workers. They will also give some to COVID-19 frontliners such as medical workers, police officers, and volunteers.

TESDA’s website also posted a step-by-step video guide on how to make the washable face mask. It includes a downloadable pattern for those who want to learn to make it. Moreover, Bertiz said TESDA plans to seek the help of DTI in mobilizing highly labor-intensive small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for the production of 50 million face masks.

Any thoughts on this government initiative?

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