Masks for DepEd learners

Jaenard Agcaoili Miranda

LOCAL government units all over the country have mandated the use of face masks for everyone – young and old alike – and this is not only understandable during this health crisis, but it is needed to combat COVID-19.

There was a time when no one could buy face masks anywhere. The supply was not enough for the demand. That is why kindhearted individuals and large corporations went out of their way to donate face masks to municipalities, hospitals and even communities.

Indeed, a face mask is a precious commodity during this time. It is one thing we cannot do without. Without it, one cannot go out of the house to buy essentials. Without it, one cannot do errands, not even just to buy at the nearest sari-sari store. Without it, one can be penalized.

Now, to meet the demand for face masks for learners, the Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has been helping produce 100,000 face masks for learners.

The project is an initiative of the Community Health Education Emergency Rescue Services or CHEERS. In fact, the PTRI has allowed CHEERS to use its Textile Development Center. CHEERS uses its own cut parts or fabrics to make the masks.

According to the DOST, the PTRI provided technical inputs to the Department of Health (DOH) with regard to the adoption of the minimum requirement for non-medical cloth masks.

This undertaking is also in coordination with the DOH, approximating the World Health Organization-recommended guidelines.

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The author is Teacher ll at Camba High School