Agoo Firm Becomes First Surgical Face Mask Manufacturer in Northern Luzon

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) announced that an Agoo-based firm has become the first mass manufacturer of surgical face masks in Northern Luzon.

ModulHaus Incorporated, based in Agoo, La Union, was able to produce its first batch of surgical masks in March. This was done through its innovative start-up project, which was funded by DOST’s Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading System (SETUP).

The firm, which started in the modular products business, has been a beneficiary of the program since 2016. In 2020, ModulHaus proposed to the DOST that the second phase of their SETUP assistance be used in surgical mask production, to meet the growing demands in surgical face masks in the country. SETUP funded the project as it is a considerable COVID-19 initiative as well as an innovative project.

In a statement released by DOST Region 1, they acknowledged the limited supply and sudden upsurge in the demand for face masks have forced healthcare providers and front liners to re-use their masks designed for one-time use only, which compromises their safety.

The grant was worth Php 5 million pesos and assisted ModulHaus in purchasing machines to aid them in the mass manufacturing of surgical masks. Among the equipment include 1 unit of Automatic Mask Making Machine and 2 units of Automatic Ear Tape Applier with a capacity that can produce 739,200 surgical face masks per month.

ModulHaus’ surgical face mask, branded as Safe Tech, is a 4-ply face mask individually packed in a box, containing 25 pieces each. The firm has not yet commercialized the product as it is awaiting the Food and Drug Administration’s release of its License to Operate.

SOURCE: DOST Region 1