SAN JOSE, Antique – Beneficiaries of the Shared Service Facility (SSF) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Sebaste, Antique are producing road ramp sanitizers made of coco coir to support the local government units (LGUs) in the continuing fight against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
The road ramp sanitizers are produced by the Callan Basic Ecclesial Community Livelihood Association, a recipient of the SSF on coco-based processing last year.
Coir is a natural fiber extracted from the outer husk of a coconut.
Henry Riomalos, president of the association, said in an interview last week that they gave a coco coir mat to personnel of the Bureau of Fire Protection-Antique who were looking to use it in a border checkpoint either in Sebaste, Culasi and Pandan towns.
A road ramp sanitizer is covered by a fish net and measures a meter wide, three meters long and three inches thick.
“We are still in the process of further developing the road ramp sanitizers to make then more sturdy and absorbent of disinfectant,” said Riomalos.
As of May 15, the association already donated road ramp sanitizers to the COVID-19 isolation facility of Sebaste town and aside from their border checkpoints.
“Our LGU is also grateful that we have now the road ramp sanitizers,” he added.
The association also plans to make more road ramp sanitizers for the LGUs in this province.
Riomalos said their association, with 15 active members, also produces coco-by-products such as doormats and key chains, among others.
“We also make coco peat that is used as organic compost,” he added.(With a report from PNA/PN)
