Responding to the need for face masks among frontliners and health workers in the fight against the dreaded COVID-19, the micro, small, and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs) of Pampanga, who are into garments business, produce thousands of washable and reusable face masks.

Through the mobilization of Shared Service Facility (SSF) donated by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to the SSF cooperators in the province namely, Yellow Ladies of Mandasig (YLM), Women’s Unity Multi-Purpose Cooperative (WUMPC), Kooperatiba ng mga Kapatirang Kapampangan para sa Kabuhayan at Kaunlaran Multi-Purpose Cooperative (5K MPC), and Samahang Kababaihan Pangkabuhayan ng Dulong Ilog (SKPDI), the MSMEs are making good use of their scrap fabrics to manufacture quality face masks.

As the coronavirus outbreak continues, Filipinos across the country are seeing a shortage of N-95 surgical masks that are essential in protecting healthcare workers and our countrymen amid this pandemic disease.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has pointed out that washable and reusable masks made from cloth or U.S. cotton may now be used as alternative to surgical masks used in hospitals as long as they are washed daily in soap and water. Thus, the Kapampangan entrepreneurs are urged to craft alternate face masks, making their initiatives noteworthy.

Truly, the spirit of Bayanihan naturally comes out from every Filipino who has compassion and patriotism to help their fellowmen in these trying times.

DTI-Regional Operations Group, as responsible for the field operations of the Department in the regions and provinces, assures our public the continuous support by ensuring business continuity and sustaining the growth and development of the Philippine economy until this crisis is over. ♦

Date of Release: 14 April 2020