TESDA doles out masks, cookies

NAGA CITY --- In appreciation of the sacrifices of Covid-19 frontliners, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in Bicol has utilized its schools and training centers to produce face masks and cookies for frontliners during the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ).

This, Sec. Isidro S. Lapeña, TESDA director general, issued a memorandum dated Mar. 16, enjoining training institutions with registered short courses in Dressmaking NC II to sew face masks and distribute them for free to Covid-19 frontliners .

TESDA personnel distribute free face masks to frontliners as part of the agency’s contribution in the prevention of Covid-19 outbreak.

As of press time, TESDA has produced the most number of face masks since it started its production in mid-March.

Rosalyn Perida, Ragay Polytechnic Skills Institute chief said that they have already distributed thousands of free face masks to TESDA employees, uniformed personnel manning checkpoints, BJMP personnel, health workers, village guards and to personnel of Local Government Units (LGU).

“TESDA Bicol has already produced more than 11,275 facemasks. 1,100 in Albay; Catanduanes, 850; Camarines Norte,1,150; Camarines Sur, 415; Masbate,600; and Sorsogon, 7,160,” Perida said

The Camarines Sur Institute of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (CASIFMAS) already started sewing additional face masks. It has committed to produce 1,200 face masks for distribution to rural health unit personnel and to other frontliners.

Aside from producing more face masks, CASIFMAS also decided to bake and distribute the freshly-baked cupcakes and egg pies to frontliners manning the checkpoints in Pasacao town.

Perida also stated that this is TESDA’s response to augment the need for face masks after its supply dwindled in the market following the Covid-19 pandemic.

The TESDA-produced face masks are made of cotton. It is washable and reusable.