BANGSAMORO, Philippines – About 10,000 pieces of face shields were distributed for free to communities and front liners of Bangsamoro during the price hike on face shields in the country.

The Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST)-BARMM initiated the sourcing and distribution of the face shields. It shouldered the shipment (of the face shields) and logistics cost from Metro Manila to its distribution to the Bangsamoro region.

“Pinadala thru barko at more than one month bago dumating dito. Ang office ang bumayad sa shipping cost na more or less P50,000 ang bayad sa shipping.” Minister Aida Silongan of MOST shared.

(They (face shields) were sent thru a ship, and it took more than one month before it arrived here. The office paid for the shipping, which cost more or less 50, 000 pesos.)

The Filipino-made face shields were designed by the Department of Science and Technology. This is in response to the country’s need for more supplies of face shields that are affordable and durable.

Palembang, one of the farthest municipalities in the region, received 150 of the face shields along with its nearby communities. Health workers and front liners of Cotabato Regional Medical Center (CRMC) and Cotabato Sanitarium Hospital also received 1,500 pieces each. Meanwhile, the remaining face shields were distributed for free to the parliament members, staff, and employees of the ministries.

As per policy of the Inter-Agency Task Force of the Management of Infectious Disease (IATF-MID), the government’s policy-making body on the COVID-19 response ordered the mandatory wearing of face shields in public transportation and commercial establishments.

Actually timing talaga itong pagbigay ng face shield kasi naging policy ngayon na hindi na pwede sumakay sa public utility vehicle ang walang suot na face shield at face mask.” Minister Aida Silongan of MOST said.

(Actually, this is [really] the timing of the distribution of face shield(s) because it has become a policy now that those who do not wear a face shield and face mask can no longer ride in a public utility vehicle.)

The Department of Health (DOH) also reminds the public of the importance of following the protocols- wearing face shields with face masks- to prevent the public from acquiring the virus.

Furthermore, according to research, the wearing of face shields protects humans from exposure to the virus in addition to observing physical distancing and frequent hand-washing.