10M FACE MASKS PRODUCED IN CLARK

JAPANESE firm Yokoisada Phils. Corp. is now producing 10 million pieces of face masks at its local manufacturing site in Clark Freeport Zone, the Clark Development Corp. ( CDC) said.

The relaxed quarantine restrictions allowed more personnel to work at the manufacturing facility and increased its capacity, CDC said in a statement.

“Yokoisada has already reached its maximum capacity last May and June. It is still in need of 80 more factory workers to complete its target of 300 workers, to fulfill its plans to further expand operations inside the Clark Freeport,” the statement said.

The face masks being made in the Clark Freeport Zone use non-woven fabric and ear-looped raw materials to lessen reliance on raw materials from China.

CDC, citing a recent interview with Yokoisada President Yuki Yokoi, said the firm’s decision to expand in Clark was driven by strong support from government agencies — the Department of Trade and Industry, the Board of Investments, CDC and the Philippine Consulate General in Osaka — especially at the height of the coronavirus pandemic.

Yokoi said the face masks would be distributed to various Philippine hospitals and other pharmaceutical firms to supply shortened demand and prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Accounting Manager Ella Pusin said the firm currently had more than 170 workers, with 250 to 300 more workers anticipated once expansion of operations in Clark pushes through.

“But for the meantime, we are still in need of 80 workers,” Pusin said.

Emmanuel Ang, commercial counsellor in the Philippine Consulate General in Osaka, said the Philippine government was ready to assist and facilitate the company’s investments in the Philippines.

“This investment will plug a big hole in our country’s current mask production supply chain, and help ensure a more reliable supply of masks during pandemics,” said Ang.