PRESS RELEASE

Responding to the need for more personal protective equipment (PPE) amid the COVID-19 outbreak, the DOST- Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI) produced bamboo-framed face shields for distribution to frontline services in Laguna.

The bamboo-framed face shields produced by a team led by DOST-FPRDI’s Mssrs. Froilan B. Samiano, Audel V. Mosteiro, Noel M. Medrano, Val DV Valderama and Engr. Cesar O. Austria (Photos by Audel V. Mosteiro) 

“Our team had to improvise with the materials at hand because the enhanced community quarantine made it challenging to procure supplies,” explained DOST-FPRDI Director Romulo T. Aggangan.

The frames of the face shields were made from bamboo (kauayan-tinik) — a perennial, woody-stemmed grass known for its versatile uses. Bamboo grows very well locally and is a favored raw material for handicraft and furniture production.

According to Aggangan, at least 300 face shields were produced and turned over to the University of the Philippines Los Banos, some barangays in Los Banos (LB), Laguna and rural health units of LB and Bay, Laguna, among others. Another batch will be produced in the coming weeks. 

Turn-over of face shields to some barangays in Los Banos, Laguna (photos by Muriel B. Dizon)

UPLB representatives receive the face shields on 27 April 2020. The shields will be distributed to the UPLB University Police Force, University Health Service and other university frontliners (photo by Muriel B. Dizon)

“The DOST-FPRDI is one with the science community in finding ways to protect our frontliners and the public from COVID-19. Currently, we are exploring other possible uses of forest products to help combat this global pandemic. The use of R&D and scientific facts is all the more needed to cope in these challenging times,” he ended. (Apple Jean C. Martin- de Leon, 27 April 2020)