Yokoisada Philippines to produce more face masks

MANILA, Philippines — Yokoisada Philippines Corp. (YPC), a manufacturer of medical supplies in Clark, is aiming to produce two million face masks per month to address high demand amid rising cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19.

Clark Development Corp. in a statement said, YPC intends to boost production as demand for surgical facemasks has increased in the past weeks. 

At present, YPC president Yuki Yokoi said the firm is only producing about 20 percent of the total maximum capacity. 

At full capacity with 300 workers, YPC can produce up to 10 million masks. 

YPC has 100 regular employees. 

Currently, 50 workers of YPC are reporting for work. 

 During a meeting with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) officials, Yokoi said the company would be distributing the face masks to hospitals and pharmaceutical firms. 

In that same meeting, DTI assured Yokoi there would be additional manpower to allow the firm to operate at full capacity for face masks in the coming weeks.

“Our company would like to help our frontliners by providing them quality face masks that will be made inside Clark,” Yokoi said.

Apart from frontliners in hospitals, there is also demand for face masks from individuals who want to protect themselves from COVID-19. 

Earlier, the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases has made it a requirement for residents of areas under enhanced community quarantine to wear face masks when going out to buy essential supplies as part of efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19.