With the P5-million funding extended by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to its innovative start-up project, the Agoo-based ModulHaus Incorporated has become the first mass manufacturer of surgical face masks in Northern Luzon.
Richard S. Chan, general manager and owner of the firm, expressed gratitude to the DOST for aiding them purchase a unit of an automatic mask making machine, enabling them mass-produce four-ply face masks.
The DOST-Region 1 provided P5-million aid under the agency’s Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) for the implementation of an innovative start-up project that seeks to strengthen the company's capacity to produce locally-made surgical masks. Through the SETUP aid, the firm was able to purchase one unit of automatic mask making machine and two units of automatic ear tape applier with a capacity that can produce 739,200 surgical face masks per month.
“Malaki ang naitulong ng DOST SETUP para maisakatuparan ang pagbili ng makina sa paggawa ng face masks (The DOST-SETUP helped us a lot to carry out the purchase of a machine for the production of face masks) ,” he said at the sidelines of DOST Secretary “Boy” T. de la Peña’s weekly report on Friday, April 23.
De la Peña said SETUP beneficiary successfully produced in March this year its first batch of surgical face masks, branded as Safe Tech through its P5-million innovative start-up project. Each 4-ply face mask is individually packed in a box, containing 25 pieces per box, he said.
"The firm becomes the first mass manufacturer of surgical face masks in North Luzon,” he said.
The DOST chief noted that the firm "has already acquired its License to Operate from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), though the commercialization of its new product line is on-hold while waiting for the release of the product registration by FDA.”
He said since 2016, ModulHaus Incorporated has been a beneficiary of SETUP.
He recalled the company’s first assistance from the SETUP Program enabled the company to acquire an automated panel saw machine for a precise and speedy cutting process of boards used in the production of modular products such as kitchen, wardrobe and pantry cabinets, restaurant and console tables, bathroom and vanity fixtures, and other architectural and interior office features.
"The firm uses top-of-the-line materials that made them competitive and establish a name in the industry that numerous private institutions, local government units, government offices, and schools and universities became their regular clients.” de la Peña said.
He said in 2020, the firm tapped DOST-1 through the La Union Science and Technology Center to avail its second phase of SETUP assistance focused on its proposed venture on surgical mask production in response to the growing demand for this product.
"Albeit a start-up, the project was funded through SETUP as it is an innovative project and a considerable COVID-19 initiative,” he said.
"ModulHaus Incorporated’s new venture aims not only to mitigate the shortage of surgical masks in the region but also to aid in sustaining its availability in the market at a lower cost.”