As a part of their assistance, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) made a promise to provide up to 50 million reusable face masks to help in the controlling and the mitigation of the risks of the virus. A few months back, they have also been designated to produce it. They were able to perform it effectively and efficiently; but now, they're up to the task of producing millions and millions of it.
The initiative saw its start back in March of this year; TESDA had been providing face masks through their livelihood support program for a specific group of families. They've been continuing to serve the people for it. Now, they would help out people from the following:
- Medical Workers
- Police Officers and Policemen
- Volunteers
- Other Frontliners
Aniceto Bertiz III, TESDA Deputy Director-General for Linkages and Partnerships, said that they have received the request of producing washable and reusable face masks to provide to the public – free of charge. In addition to that, he said that the costs would be affordable to everyone.
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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."
Turnover to the DILG
In addition to that, he said that the masks would be given to the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG); then, it is to be distributed to city, municipal, and provincial governments. They are the ones to distribute it to communities and neighborhoods.
For you to know what these face masks are for, Isidro Lapeña, TESDA Undersecretary said that they've been providing face masks since March to help COVID-19 frontliners and Filipino migrant worker have some type of protection.
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Procedure in Creating These Face Masks
The Deputy Director-General even made a mention that in their website, they provide a procedure – a step-by-step procedure on how they create and procure these face masks. It is in video form; people don't have to read. What they have and need to do is to just follow the steps given in the video.
It even has a pattern that can freely be downloaded by all people who wish to create the masks.
In fact, TESDA’s official website provides a step-by-step video guide on how to make the washable face mask, including a downloadable pattern."
But even if they had the manpower to produce 50 million reusable face masks; they might not have the budget. This is where they have sought for the assistance and the guidance of their mother agency – the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
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With their help, not only would they be financially capable – they'll be able to scale the production up too. The agency can assist in deploying their enterprises, particularly in the garments industry.
Penalties and Sanctions
Because of the urge of the EcoWaste Coalition, the environmental custodian; the DILG has forth placed a memorandum to require LGUs to craft and create ordinances that would require improper disposal of face masks and PPEs. You can be sanctioned and penalized not only if you don't wear them; but even if you dispose them improperly, too.
The EcoWaste Coalition Zero Waste Campaigner Jove Benosa; said that this is the particular memorandum that has been imposed by the DILG.
This new directive should build on DILG Memorandum Circular 2020-071 issued last April 9 requiring mandatory use of face masks or other protective equipment in public areas to avoid further transmission of COVID-19."
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Disposal of PPEs and Face Masks
In addition to that, it also said that the LGUs must have compliant ordinances that point towards waste separation or the segregation; in order for the entirety of their project to be effective and efficient.
To be effective, the ordinances should further promote compliance to waste separation at source and the segregated disposal of healthcare wastes such as used masks and PPE."
Therefore, if you plan on not taking good care of your PPE and face mask's disposal, you should start to. Now, everything we do is to be sanitized; it should be done in accordance to how it needs to be done to stray from the virus. Should the government sense any citizen not abiding by the rules and regulations, there shall be penalties and sanctions for it.
What do you think about the TESDA's plan to produce 50 million reusable face masks to help and assist the country in its battle to counter COVID-19? Do you think that this'll help and aid in the containment of the virus?
Source/s: The Philippine Star | Manila Bulletin News
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