DAVAO CITY – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office XI led the turnover of 1.8 million washable face masks to the City Government of Davao on Wednesday, February 3 at the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao Command Covered Court, Barangay Panacan.

The washable face masks are under the Libreng Face Mask Para sa Masa program initiated by the Office of the President. The program aims to advocate the use of face masks as a primary defense against COVID-19, and to help the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) whose operations were greatly affected by the pandemic.

The washable face masks, which arrived in Davao City last January 30, intend to serve 360,000 poor families identified by the city government.

Representing the DSWD in the ceremonial turnover is Regional Director Raquel Nuñez, and representing Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio is Atty. Marlisa Gallo, Head of the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO).

Also present in the turnover ceremony are representatives from the different partner-agencies in the initiative: Regional Director Dr. Annabelle Yumang from the Department of Health (DOH), Mr. Marvin Samson from the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), Mr. Christopher Dalhog from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Ms. Zinica Maeve Santos from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Ms. Maritess Cabuenas from the Presidential Management Staff (PMS), Chief of Staff Mr. Ruben Niel Ibuyan from the Office of Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) President Hon. Edgar Ibuyan and Lt. Gen. Jose Faustino, Jr. (PA) of the Eastern Mindanao Command. ###