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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider PH Air Force use recycled materials to make face masks, shields

PH Air Force use recycled materials to make face masks, shields

Published Apr 6, 2020 12:00 am
  By Martin Sadongdong The shortage in personal protective equipment (PPEs) for frontliners battling the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) prompted Tarlac City-based personnel of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) to create face masks and shields out of recycled plastic bottles and used cloth. (Philippine Air Force / MANILA BULLETIN) (Philippine Air Force / MANILA BULLETIN) Major Aristedes Galang, PAF spokesperson, said on Monday, April 6, that elements of the 710th Special Operations Wing (SPOW) who are based in Capas town designed makeshift face masks for soldiers deployed at border checkpoints amid the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon. "Being among those serving in the frontline, the Philippine Air Force took the lead in displaying resourcefulness by creating improvised face masks and face shields to ensure the safety of its personnel despite the lack of industrial PPEs," Galang said. The recycled face masks and face shields were utilized by the PAF's Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and High-Yield Explosives (CBRNE) Defense Squadron. The CBRNE squads are primarily responsible for the decontamination and disinfection of areas and personnel who have been augmenting human resource requirements at checkpoints set up by the Philippine National Police. Since then, other Air Force units have followed the practice of the 701th SPOW. Elements of the Tactical Operations Wing (TOW) in Antonio Bautista Air Base in Puerto Princesa, Palawan also created improvised full-face shields for their personnel. At present, Galang said the PAF Research and Development Center is keen on fabricating face shields with 3D-printed frames, acetate, and cotton filters which will be distributed to healthcare workers and tactical frontliners of the Air Force. Galang said the ingenuity of the PAF personnel is but a small contribution of the military to the national government's fight to combat the novel coronavirus.
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