LOS BANOS, Laguna – The Forest Products Research and Development Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-FPRDI) recently turned over lapnis face shields and a prototype bamboo-abaca hands-free disinfectant dispenser to the DOST-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD).
The lapnis (Broussonetia papyrifera (L.) L’Herit ex Vent), paper mulberry) face shields and the dispenser are outputs of FPRDI’s projects, “Development of Bamboo-Abaca Hands free Disinfectant Dispenser and Footbath for COVID19 Prevention” and “Mass Production and Distribution of Lapnis-Framed Face Shields.” Both projects are funded and monitored by DOST-PCAARRD.
As the country adapts to the “new normal,” more of these products will be required. Other than plastic and metal, there are a lot of locally-available and renewable raw materials that can be utilized in producing face shields and hands-free dispensers and foot baths.
FPRDI made use of lapnis as frame for face shields and bamboo-abaca for the development of hands-free dispensers with foot baths. With the use of these resources, the raw materials are more sustainable and ecological, waste decomposition and pollution issues are lower, and the products are cheaper compared to metal or plastic-based products.
The mentioned projects are part of the Good Agri-Aqua Livelihood Initiatives towards National Goals (GALING) PCAARRD program, the Council’s quick response to the government-led efforts against the COVID-19 pandemic in accordance with the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act.
