UP Beta Epsilon helps PGH with ‘Maskipaps’

SINCE it was established 90 years ago, the UP Beta Epsilon Brotherhood of Engineers has contributed to UP Diliman’s infrastructure such as the Beta Way, rehabilitated remote and disadvantaged schools and assisted victims of the Taal eruption, to name a few projects. Now, the fraternity sought out to help in the country’s challenge in containing the Covid-19 pandemic. Philippine General Hospital (PGH) anesthesiologist Dr. Fides Galvez-Flores shared how she was prototyping an aerosol box, to protect her staff while managing Covid-19 patients. One Betan, Ramon Castillo, rose to the occasion by building 10 production units that featured high-strength, interweaving, precision laser-cut panels and an innovative surgical glove locking plate. Upon consultation with

PGH Pulmonology Chairman Dr. Leni Fernandez and PGH Anesthesiology Chairman Dr. Grace Ann Herbosa, two major concerns were identified: the need for ventilators and the need for a hefty supply of quality isolation coveralls suitable for frontline medical workers. With the Department of Health (DoH) earmarking 200 ventilators for PGH use, the Beta Epsilon Alumni Inc. (BEAI) focused on what was then a month’s requirement of quality isolation coveralls — 10,000 pieces. After meticulous evaluation of local and foreign suppliers, the BEAI, with PGH approval, selected Medpurest for its innovative features and high specifications. BEAI Director Ace Castillo even undertook an on-site factory inspection of Medpurest’s 10-hectare facility at Anhui, China. On April 4, the BEAI presented this mission and plan at the Fraternity’s 403rd Kapihan, its first cyber kapihan. It reached out to the brotherhood to rise and be counted. The UP Beta Epsilon committed in an overwhelming way, 365 brods, fraternity sweethearts, family members and friends from all over the world came together to get this project done. Brods spanning nine decades — from the 1930s to the residents participated. Wilfredo Mejia, BEFAAA (Brods in North America) President and Alberto Selorio, BE Australia President, galvanized the overseas brotherhood into action. Twenty UP associations, charity groups and military associations partnered with the Fraternity. UPERDFI, Airspeed, Philippine Airlines, Datem, M.E. Sicat Construction, DMCI and Atlas Fertilizer Corporation extended

Quality isolation coveralls for Covid-19 frontliners their capabilities to the project.On April 28, just 24 days later, two trucks rolled into the PGH compound with 10,000 high quality isolation coveralls. UP Beta Epsilon Most Exalted Brother Irwin Jacob Serrano, BEAI President Alex Ibasco and BEAI Executive Director Joselito Alzona turned over the Isolation coveralls to PGH Director Dr. Gerardo Legaspi and PGH Covid-19 Response Head Dr. Dennis Serrano.