As the entire National Capital Region and Cebu City in the Philippines remain in a modified enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) status, which means these affected areas are still in relatively high risk of exposure and spread of the deadly new Coronavirus Disease-2019 (CoViD-19), the Department of Science and Technology- Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI) has responded to the need for more personal protective equipment (PPE) by producing bamboo-framed face shields for distribution to frontline services.
The bamboo-framed face shield 
Turn-over of face shields to barangays in Los Banos, Laguna
“Our team had to improvise with the materials at hand because the ECQ made it challenging to procure supplies,” explained DOST-FPRDI Director Romulo T. Aggangan.
The frames of the face shields were made from bamboo (kauayan-tinik), a perennial, woody-stemmed grass known for its versatile uses. Bamboo grows well locally and is a favored raw material for handicraft and furniture production.
According to Aggangan, at least 300 face shields were produced and turned over to the University of the Philippines-Los Banos and some barangays and health units in Los Banos and Bay in Laguna last April 27. More batches of face shields have been subsequently produced.
“The DOST-FPRDI is one with the science community in finding ways to protect our frontliners and the public from CoViD-19. Currently, we are exploring other possible uses of forest products to help combat this global pandemic. The use of R&D and scientific facts is all the more needed to cope in these challenging times,” Aggangan stressed. (DOST-FPRDI)