Cordillera Administrative Region- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) under the leadership of Regional Director Arnel B. Garcia, CESO II, spearheaded the turnover of one (1) million washable face masks to the city government of Baguio last June 23 at the Baguio City Hall. 

The face masks were received by Executive Assistant to the Mayor, Marlene De Castro, and City Social Welfare and Development Officer, Ms. Betty Fangasan who served as representatives of Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong during the ceremony. The activity was also graced by DSWD FO CAR Disaster Response Management Division Chief  Marifil C. Jugal.

The activity is part of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases’ initiative entitled: “Libreng Face Mask Para sa Masa,” which is pursuant to Memorandum No. 49 issued by the Office of the President directing the coordination and pooling of all government resources, manpower and expertise from various national government agencies for the production and distribution of free face masks to the public. 

The execution of this project is a collaborative effort among different national government agencies such as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of Health (DOH), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Office of the President and DSWD which was appointed to lead in the distribution of face masks to the local government units (LGUs) in the country. 

DSWD FO CAR is set to accomplish the distribution of more than 2.7 million total number of face masks to the LGUs in the different provinces of the Cordillera. 

“We are coordinating with the local government units for the swift distribution  of the free face masks to the community. As we shift from response phase to early recovery by cautiously opening our economy, let us promote making safety a habit,” said Regional Director Arnel B. Garcia. 

This national project reinforces the “Bayanihan to Heal as One Act” or RA 11469 which mandates the observation of safety and health protocols including the wearing of face masks in public.  

It aims to strengthen the government’s strategic plan on fighting COVID-19 by educating and engaging the public on following minimum public health standards. It also aims to prevent and/or minimize the local spread of COVID-19 in the country especially within poor or informal sector families in high-risk communities. #DSWD-CAR, SOCIAL MARKETING UNIT, Lorillie R. Gonzales