A partnership between PLDT-Smart Foundation (PSF) and the Kababaihan, Kamay ng Kalikasan (KKK) ties an act to help frontliners by distributing over 36,000 protective face masks from various organizations and communities to help augment the supply of face masks - necessities in the continuing fight against the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).A strong alliance in this time of crisis.

The group were able to give and donate some 500 sets of personal protective equipment (PPE) to the following facilities: Novaliches Hospital, Sta. Ana Hospital, National Center for Mental Health, San Lazaro Hospital, and Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital.

Among the recipients of the face masks were the AFP frontliners, Makati Medical Center Foundation for PNP HPG, and various communities affected by COVID-19.

"It is an honor for us to help our beloved frontliners by equipping them with the basic necessities, such as face masks and PPEs, to protect them in their battle against COVID-19," said PSF President Ma. Esther O. Santos.


"We would like to assure our frontliners that we are here for them and one with them in fighting this pandemic," Santos said.

"If every Filipino will wear a face mask, observe physical distancing and practice proper hygiene, we will all have some protection from COVID-19," KKK Founder and Commissioner at Philippine Commission on Women, Sandy Sanchez Montano pointed out.

"We are glad to provide reusable, non-woven protective masks produced by women who were severely affected by the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) due to the pandemic," Montano added.

The KKK is a program under the Community Health Education Emergency Rescue Services Corp. (CHEERS). It aims to actively help in addressing the spread of COVID-19 while providing a source of sustainable livelihood for women who need to make a living for their families. KKK participants/beneficiaries include women-recipients of 4Ps, solo parents, and those who were affected by the ECQ.

A non-profit organization, the PSF fully serves as the social outreach arm of PLDT, Inc. and its wireless subsidiary, Smart Communications Inc. Headed by PLDT and Smart Chairman Manuel V Pangilinan, the PSF created programs focused on education, livelihood and social enterprise, disaster response and recovery, youth arts, and sports development.

To know more about the efforts of the PLDT Group in beating the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit https://beta.pldt.com/covid19/.