Emy Ruth Gianan, News, Communication Management Office
With the increasing need for personal protective equipment (PPE), various students from the Colleges of Engineering (CE) and Architecture and Fine Arts (CAFA) - PUP Sta. Mesa answered the call to produce homemade face shields and develop an original protective helmet for COVID-19 frontliners. Production for face shields began on March 30, wherein 20 face shields were distributed to security officers (barangay tanod) of Barangay 628 while Manila Police District Station 8 received 10 pieces. On March 31, Mary Mount Hospital in Bulacan received 50 pieces. Helmets were also initially distributed to PUP frontliners.
“Sa ngayon po may mga requests na po kaming natatanggap from hospitals and barangays,” Intellectual Property Management Office Director Dr. Ginno Andres shared.
He spearheads the production of face shields in the Engineering and Science Research Center (ESRC) where three (3) of the seven (7) 3D printers are already working to produce ten (10) face shields each. A total of 70 face shields per day are printed. Helmets, on the other hand, are originally designed by a team of Engineering and Interior Design students. They are also in the process of mass producing this PPE for later distribution.
“Simula po nung nalaman namin na gumagawa po ng face shields ang PUP, nagsabi po kami agad kay Sir Ginno kung ano ang pwedeng maitulong dahil nagdo-dorm lang din kami malapit sa PUP. Bukod po roon ay gusto ko talagang makatulong sa ating frontliners sa pamamagitan ng pag-provide ng face shields,” student volunteer Xavier Escobido shared in a Facebook message.
(“As soon as we learned about PUP’s initiative to produce face shields, we immediately asked Sir Ginno how we can help since we live nearby the Sta. Mesa Campus. I also intend to help our frontliners by producing face shields as these are important protective equipment.”)
Two other clusters are in Pasig City and Bulacan where students who are interested to help and have access to production materials assist in the production. They are happy with the positive reception for their work. “Naging motivation namin dito ay gumawa ng product na makakatulong sa mga frontliners. Para maiwasan ang kumakalat na virus, sinubukan naming mag-produce muna gamit mga materials and equipment na meron kami. Gumamit na rin kami ng social media para makapag-raise ng funds at makapag-produce pa ng maraming face shields,” Roger Carino, an Interior Design student also involved in the project shared in an online interview.
(“We really wanted to help the frontliners. To stave off the spread of the virus, we tried crafting a face shield using the materials and equipment we have. Then, we shared our efforts in social media platforms to raise more funds so we can mass produce the face shields.”)
Escobido notes the urgent need for PPEs: “Kulang na kulang kasi talaga tayo sa supplies of PPEs. Hangga’t meron pong supplies sa paggawa ng mga face shields, tuloy-tuloy lang din tayo sa paggawa nito.” Carino shares the same sentiment and says their team also look forward to continue helping increase the supply of PPEs at least in hospitals and barangays near their locations.
(“There is short supply of PPEs. As long as there are materials to use in the production, we will continue our work.”)
Dr. Andres is ably assisted by Engr. Farley Garcia of the Energy Research Laboratory and Engr. Joseph Bianes of the Civil Engineering Department. Mechanical Engineering student volunteers include Mark Gerald Abilay, Cliff August Batalla, Sung Hum Cho, John Xavier Escobido, Marvin Lagazo, Gian Maghanoy, Ian Rafer, and Terence Tabon. Other volunteers include Roger Carino (BS Interior Design) and Jerico Garcia (BS Electrical Engineering). Zach Belmonte of the TUPT Alumni Association and the JPSME TUPT Chapter aid on 3D printing of filaments and acetates used for the face shields.
For those interested in supporting this noble endeavor, you may course your donations through the following methods:
GCash – John Xavier Escobido – 0927 4365513
or
PUP – Economics Alumni Association, Inc.
Philippine National Bank (PNB) - Cubao
Savings Account Number: 127 810 147 263.
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