Procter & Gamble (P&G) Philippines has repurposed its manufacturing operations in Cabuyao, Laguna to produce medical-grade face masks.
The country’s leading producer of consumer goods pledged 1 million medical-grade face masks to the Department of Health to help in the nation’s battle against COVID-19.
“P&G is one with the nation in the fight against COVID-19. We are using our brands and manufacturing expertise to be a force for good and to protect our countrymen and frontliners. Our mission is to ensure Filipinos have a consistent supply of trusted health and hygiene products which are critical in keeping homes and families safe,” P&G Philippines General Manager Raffy Fajardo said.
“We also transformed a part of our manufacturing operations to produce much needed face masks. With the help of the Department of Trade and Investment and the Board of Investments, we were able to quickly set up our mask production line. These masks are not for sale. We are donating these to the DOH and local health authorities to protect our frontliners. They will also be used to protect our workforce who are producing and distributing essential goods for the country,” he added.
P&G first announced the repurposing in April, shortly after the government imposed the enhanced community quarantine over Luzon.
“The Department of Health has partnered with P&G over the years in the shared purpose of creating a healthy nation. We were partners in the past for SARS, for H1N1, and now we are again grateful for the partnership of an industry leader such as P&G in the fight against COVID-19. Medical grade face masks are much needed by our frontliners in healthcare institutions,” said DOH Health Promotion Director IV Dr. Beverly Lorraine Ho.
P&G is one of the manufacturing firms that the DTI and the Board of Investments enabled to repurpose its manufacturing operations to meet the increased demand for face masks and protective equipment for frontline workers and Filipino consumers.
DTI-BOI provided the support needed to source critical raw materials, register new production lines with key government agencies, facilitate the testing of the masks and expedite the shipment of the line.
Trade Undersecretary for Industry Development Ceferino Rodolfo lauded the decision of P&G to join the government’s program to locally produce quality medical supplies essential for the country to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We thank P&G for answering our call to Philippine manufacturers to band together, use their expertise – retool if they must – and join the government in this battle against an unseen enemy. Together with our allies in the private sector, we will continue to combine our efforts to innovate, to adapt, and ultimately, to heal as one,” he said.