The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) 7 (Central Visayas) has awarded grants to the Cebu Technology University for the development and production of personal protective equipment (PPE) (PHP 1,165,222; project 1) disinfectant gels, and hand rubs (PHP 400,000; project 2) for the COVID-19 frontliners which were first distributed to the beneficiaries on May 6, 2020.
Project 1 was led by Dr. Adrian P. Ybañez, the University Vice-President for Research and Development in anticipated collaborations with different CTU campuses (Carmen, Danao, Argao, Tuburan) and the University of the Philippines – National Training Center for Biosafety and Biosecurity.
In addition, Project 2 was led by Dr. Noel D. Roble, the Graduate School Dean of the Carmen Campus, with collaborations from CTU Carmen FabLab headed by its Director, Dr. Roberto C. Lamayo, and other faculty members.
With these grants, the Anti-COVID 19 MASK (Mugna Alang Sa Katawhan) was launched. As the name implies, it will predominantly provide reusable fabric face masks to the frontliners.
This Anti-COVID 19 MASK movement was also in partnership with the Barangay Carreta Gender and Development Sewers Organization.
Proximate barangays, San Roque, Tinago, and Sto. Niño, were the initial beneficiaries of the face masks and disinfectant gels on May 6, 2020. Other surrounding barangays of the CTU main campuses were also targeted as beneficiaries although several areas in Cebu were identified. This is also part of the biorisk management approach to help in safeguarding the CTU main campus from COVID-19.
Designed by the CTU RD team led by Dr. Adrian Ybañez in collaboration with the UP National Training Center for Biosafety and Biosecurity, Dr. Gianne and tested by the Cebu City Medical Center medical doctors and nurses on April 26, 2020, these face masks were distributed to the frontliners of Barangay Tinago, Barangay Sto. Niño, and Barangay San Roque. –RD