MANILA, Philippines — The government aims to distribute over 47 million reusable face masks to poor communities to help protect them against COVID-19.
According to Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, over 13 million face masks have already been delivered, 16 million are in the process of delivery, and 17 million more are undergoing production or post-qualification.
“Very soon we will be able to distribute 47 million face masks. These are reusable,” he said in his report to President Rodrigo Duterte during a pre-recorded Cabinet briefing that was televised on Wednesday night.
Lopez said the face masks were produced by local community sewers whose jobs had been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The move was in compliance with the order of Duterte to give face masks to poor communities, according to Lopez.