School targets to produce 10,000 face masks for students

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – The Extension and Community Services of Carlos Hilado Memorial State College (CHMSC) in Negros Occidental, initiated a project to help combat the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Recognizing a serious threat on health, the CHMSC, together with the Garment Technology Area of the College of Industrial Technology (CIT), has targeted to produce 10,000 cloth face masks to all students in four campuses here when classes resume.

Mary Grace Nacionales, director for Extension and Community Services, said that the idea was brought up by Rosalinda Tuvilla, school’s vice president for Administration and Finance.

“We have to ensure that we can make the school grounds as safe as possible for everyone amidst the threat of the coronavirus infection. This necessary protective gear can help lessen the risks of contracting COVID-19 within the school and the community,” she added.

The project also aims to help sewers from community partners earn extra income by paying them P10 for every face mask made.

Nacionales said that sewers from community partners had already started their work. Some are using CHMSC’s facilities, while others work from home.

“We have just started with the project and so far, we are happy with the enthusiasm and dedication of our faculty and staff volunteers in the cutting of the fabrics for the facemasks,” she added.

It also aims to foster the CHMSCyanihan spirit of volunteerism among faculty and staff by soliciting their assistance in the production and packaging of the face masks.

The 10,000 masks are expected to be done and distributed within six weeks, she said.

The project which started on May 1, 2020, was led by BSIT Program Chair Ma. Lourdes Hagos and joined by faculty member Ana Mary Ann Pancho, CIT ECS coordinator Ida Pabiania, Research and Extension staff Arlene Visitacion, Research staff Cherryl Salaya, and Extension staff Joy Mae de la Peña and Eric March Jalando-on. Mary Grace Nacionales serves as the focal person of the project.

Giving out cloth face masks for free is one of the school’s ways to show compassion and provide its students the protection they needed whether classes will resume this month or a few weeks after, she said.