Loakan, Baguio – The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Cordillera produced 6500 washable face masks that were turned over to the Department of Health-CAR on December 16, 2020.
The production of face masks is under the directive of President Rodrigo R. Duterte under Memorandum No.49 directing all concerned government agencies to coordinate and pool their resources and efforts into the production and distribution of face masks.
The facemasks were produced by the scholars of dress-making and tailoring programs from the various TESDA Technical Vocational Institutions in the Cordillera.
Dr. Amelita Pangilinan, the Assistant Regional Director of DOH-CAR received the washable facemasks during the turn-over.
ARD Pangilinan thanked TESDA for their tireless efforts in helping the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. She assured that the face masks will be distributed to the front liners, health-workers, police officers at checkpoints, local government units, and residents of the Cordillera.
It can be recalled that TESDA Director General, Secretary Isidro S. Lapeña, issued a memorandum last March 16 encouraging its training institutions which have registered programs in Dressmaking NC II to immediately start producing and distributing the face masks.
The facemasks are made of cloth and designed with 2 various colors. The blue color with dark and light shade represents TESDA and the traditional Cordilleran weaving patterns. The fabrics have 3 layers the outer layer that is knitted or woven 130-230 grams per square meter, the middle layer that is woven, non-woven, and water repellent that is 20-60 gsm, and the inner layer that is knitted, woven, and absorbent that is 80-185 gsm. All face masks are washable and reusable.
“The facemasks are delicately designed following the specifications of the Department of Health for proper protection,” said Engr. Manuel B. Wong, TESDA-CAR Regional Director. (Stephanie Nicole M. Peligman, photo courtesy of TESDA CAR)