To help protect the frontline workers in the fight against the COVID-19, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 4-A turned over 9,000 surgical masks and 50 face shields donations from Japanese companies Tsuneishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. and Taiheiyo Cement Corporation, respectively, to Cabuyao City Mayor Rommel Gecolea. With the help of Ibiden Japan, the aids were shipped for free.

“We are very thankful for these generous donations of Tsuneishi and Taiheiyo to our health workers and front liners in the Cabuyao City Hospital and health centers. It is the unstinting support of the private sector, government, and partner agencies and organizations in and outside the country that help sustain the health and well-being of our frontline workers,” said Mayor Gecolea.

“Our front liners are considered heroes in the battle against the pandemic, and these valuable donations of Tsuneishi and Taiheiyo will surely be of help to our heroes. We are deeply grateful for the benevolence and bravery of the people who continue to serve and help our nation despite the crisis,” said DTI CALABARZON Director Marilou Toledo.

DTI has been responsive to the needs of the hospitals and communities in CALABARZON providing PPEs such as face masks and face shields for the health workers and frontliners amid this pandemic crisis through the Department’s Shared Service Facility (SSF). 

Las April this year, DTI manufactured 600 lab gowns, 500 jump suits, and 1,000 face masks per day with 300 member-workers with the help of the Reliance Producers Cooperative in Carmona, Cavite for the healthcare workers.

In the following month, DTI collaborated with Batangas State University through mobilizing the Labspace for Innovation, Knowledge-Honing and Application (LIKHA) Fabrication Laboratory to produce 100 3D face shields. 

The SSF technologies used in the PPE production are funded by the DTI and being implemented by its Regional Operations Group (ROG), spearheaded by Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona. ♦

Date of Release: 27 May 2020