As part of its ongoing efforts in helping the government’s fight against the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), Ford Philippines donated 10,000 face shields to the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to help protect frontliners against the dreaded virus.
The face shields were designed by Ford engineers and produced by employees in Ford Thailand Manufacturing (FTM), Ford’s manufacturing plant facility in Thailand that builds the Ford Ranger and Ford Everest that are sold in the Philippines.
The face shield prototype was approved by Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health for mass production and was developed with direct inputs from doctors in various hospitals in Thailand, making the face shields safe to use.
Ford Philippines managing director PK Umashankar said that the donation will benefit medical frontliners who are treating COVID-19 patients.
“We are one with the Philippine government and its efforts in curtailing the spread of Covid-19 in the country. This humble donation will benefit frontliners, particularly those in the medical and healthcare field who need personal protective equipment to properly and safely facilitate medical treatment of Covid-19 patients,” Umashankar said.
“We at Ford Philippines recognize the important contributions of our frontliners, our modern-day heroes, in helping the nation overcome this health crisis,” he added.
A total of 9,000 face shields were turned over to the DOH by Ford Philippines AVP for Government and Corporate Affairs Josie Gonzalez and was received by Health Assistant Secretary Dr. Maria Francia Laxamana. The face shields will be distributed to various hospitals nationwide for use of their medical frontliners and health workers.
The remaining 1,000 face shields were handed over to the DTI and the Board of Investments (BOI) through BOI Governor Marjorie Ramos-Samaniego (right). The face shields will be used by their field workers and employees.
The donation turnover to DOH and DTI took place last May 21, 2020, with the Ford Ranger and Ranger Raptor carrying the boxes of face shields.
As part of its efforts to support hospitals and medical frontliners, Ford Philippines also donated medical supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE) to Bauan Doctors General Hospital, Balete Municipal Health Center, Philippine College of Occupational Medicine, Inc., Veterans Memorial Medical Center, De La Salle University Medical Center, Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital, Fe Del Mundo Medical Center, Philippine General Hospital, San Juan de Dios Hospital, Ospital ng Muntinlupa, Manila Doctors Hospital, The Outstanding Women in Nation’s Service (TOWNS) Foundation, Subic Municipal Health Center, and San Marcelino Zambales Health Center.
