SLPAs, SLP Skills Training Graduate Produce Washable Face Masks

Some Sustainable Livelihood Program Associations (SLPAs) and a graduate of SLP skills training who are both engaged in rag and dress making, temporarily shifted their business production to face masks making as a way of countering the shortage of face masks in Central Visayas due to Covid-19.

On March 20, 2020, Assistant Regional Director for Operations (ARDO) Shalaine Marie S. Lucero asked the SLP Regional Program Coodinator (RPC) Rizalina T. Patindol if the SLP beneficiaries could possibly sew improvised face masks to cater its local demand. Patindol immediately coordinated with the Project Development Officers (PDOs) in the region to point out possible SLPAs who can do such.

Among the SLPAs identified include the Sam-Ang Pantawid SLA in Toledo City; Katawhang Madasigon Sa Brgy Matutinaw SLPA in Badian, Cebu; Kahugpungan Kababayenhang Loonanon (KKL) in Cogon Norte, Loon, Bohol; Damarba SLPA in Basay Negros Oriental and Analyn Lucion in Argao, Cebu.

More than 6,000.00 pieces of washable and reusable face masks with price ranging from Php 20.00 to Php 30.00 were already produced and delivered to the different buyers in the provinces of Cebu, Bohol and Negros Oriental as of March 25, 2020.

According to Patindol, “The skills of the members are maximized despite the pandemic that we have encountered now. We always think positive and always welcome other opportunities that would come their way as long as it is safe and legal because it is also their social responsibility to help the community and people as well, especially in time of crisis.”

Patindol also added that the production of face masks is an alternative solution to earn an income while their projects are still affected by the Covid19 outbreak.

Cebu Program Coordinator Ma. Giovanna Roselyn Vistal revealed that the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office 7 was the first one which ordered face masks to the Sam-ang Pantawid SLA. After which, many government agencies and non-government organizations, including resellers have already started ordering upon knowing about this information.

Some of the noted buyers are the Mactan National Airport, DSWD Field Office VII, Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Negros Oriental, some Barangay Local Government Units (BLGUs) in Toledo City and Loon, Bohol.

Meanwhile, Bohol Program Coordinator Jimmy Crusio said the local government unit (LGU) of Tagbilaran City, Bohol already tapped the Kahugpungan Kababayenhang Loonanon (KKL) to produce 25,000.00 pcs of face masks, which will be distributed to the LGU personnel.

The SLPAs are supported by the DSWD through provision of seed capital fund to start their livelihood projects.