DOST approves local, hand-crafted face mask made in Cavite
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has approved a face mask made in Maragondon, Cavite as the first local handwoven mask which conforms to the standards or the recommended minimum specifications for non-medical face masks for community use.

This was confirmed by DOST Secretary Fortunato dela Peña in a TeleRadyo interview on Friday, Feb. 12. Called the “Habing Maragondon Face Mask,” he explained that this is made by a group in Maragondon “who saw the opportunity in making face masks.”
“They made their own design and looked for materials,” dela Peña said in Filipino. “When they heard that there was a call for the renewable face masks, they submitted the products for testing,” he added.
Dela Peña explained that there are two types of face masks: for community and clinical use. “What they are producing are the community face masks,” he added.
The group submitted the products to the DOST-Textile Research Institute (PTRI). “Initially, they did not pass the test but what the PTRI experts did is to give them advice which is the better material to use and the features that they need to incorporate,” he explained. They were able to pass after a few months after meeting the requirements set by the DOST.
Dela Peña explained that the said mask is made of polyester and cotton in its outermost layer - with a second layer of knitted hydrophobic material and hydrophilic material in its innermost layer. He added that the masks also meet the requirements set by the World Health Organization (WHO).