Groups in Caraga make own face masks

By Erwin M. Mascariñas,
Correspondent

BUTUAN City – Different groups are stepping in to help cushion the impact of Covid-19 as this city and other places in Caraga went on a community quarantine.    

Disposable face masks are running out across Caraga, and concerned groups moved to do their share to help the front liners. 

Cynth Zhepanee Nietes, Sangguniang Kabataan federation president, said her group hopes to distribute some 500 face masks using the meager funds that they have.  SK volunteers will help.

In the meantime, the group has been distributing snacks to those manning the quarantine checkpoints throughout the city as a way of showing solidarity.

The performing arts group Kulture Revival Events Core took the initiative of sewing face masks with the machines it uses in making costumes. 

By next week, the group hopes to produce 5,000 face masks. But only a thousand would be given to the frint liners; the rest would be sold for P350 a dozen, said Sai Collado, executive director of Kulture Revival Events Core.    

In Surigao City, Hotel Tavern commissioned tailors to produce hundreds of washable cloth masks using its spare linens, said Jake Miranda who spoke on behalf of the establishment. 

Meanwhile, a group of artists in Butuan set its sights on producing hundreds of face shields made of transparent PVC and foam strips. 

“We are giving these for free, and people who want to contribute can donate to help buy materials for our initiative,” said Mark Gonzaga of Diseño Creative Arts and Prints.

This March 19, Butuan Mayor Ronnie Vicente Lagnada issued Executive Order No.19, placing the city under community quarantine to help prevent the spread of the virus that originated from Wuhan, China. 

The governors of the provinces of Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, and Surigao del Sur also declared  community quarantines.