The College of Human Kinetics of University of the Philippines is stepping up in the battle to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.
The CHK has taken the lead in developing technology to help in the disinfection of frontliners in public areas, and in helping student-athletes who have been stranded in campus by the ongoing enhanced community quarantine.
They are in the vanguard of the production of “sanitents” or sanitation tents to be used to disinfect health workers and others in the frontline of the battle against COVID-19.
Testing of “sanitents” are being done at the CHK gym which has been the training ground of many UP varsity teams as well as venue for some University Athletic Association of the Philippines events and competition.
“Nabuo na nila yung first prototype. They are just tweaking on the diffuser system nung disinfecting agent pero tapos na yung first prototype,” said UP CHK Dean Francis “Kiko” Diaz, who is also a member of the UAAP Board of Managing Directors.
When they are done in perfecting the prototype, UP CHK will present their model to local government units.
“When they perfect it, they are planning to invite the initial LGUs (Local Government Units) that have signified their intention sa kanila to use it,” added Diaz in a statement.
Diaz also disclosed that UP College of Science and College of Engineering has also initiated another breakthrough, which is the production of facemasks through (3D) printing.
“Titignan na lang kung kaya na i-mass produce,” said Diaz.
UP’s Diliman campus, also had an estimated 270 dorm boarders who have been stranded by the ongoing month-long quarantine in Luzon.
And 20 of them are student-athletes.
The student-athletes have received an outpouring of support from the alumni of the school, may it be food, vitamins, and protective gear.
“Both the UP System and UP Diliman officials really made it a point na maalagaan yung na-stranded. Yung university food service, meron silang skeletal force daily to cook the meals of dormers and for the athletes. They are receiving the right nutrition they need for their diets,” said Diaz.