Pilmico has partnered with several sewing cooperatives to produce face masks out of used flour sacks. Among them, the “all-volunteer” organization Mask4AllPH, which distributes free face masks produced by partner cooperatives that benefit urban poor communities nationwide.

Mask4AllPH powered a movement of wearing masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

When Pilmico started working with partner seamstresses and cooperatives to produce face masks earlier this year, the initial goal was to plug the shortage of PPEs that we saw in different parts of the country. But as the toll of the pandemic increased and more Filipinos’ livelihood were affected, we set upon expanding the flour sacks to face masks initiative to reach a wider network of beneficiaries, hence we extended our support to Mask4AllPH.

– Joeben Gamatero II, VP for Brand, Marketing, and CSR, Pilmico

To date, Pilmico has donated 23,000 pieces of flour sacks, which Mask4AllPH will up-cycle into 160,000 reusable face masks.

Prior to this project, Pilmico had tapped 30 seamstresses in Taguig City and Cebu City to sew reusable face masks from flour sacks. This initiative produced over 50,000 face masks that were distributed to Pilmico customers, team members, and partner communities.

Mask4AllPH is a good model of synergies of mission-driven individuals and institutions, including Pilmico, to provide masks by the communities and for the communities. This kind of bayanihan goes a long way—providing a livelihood source for our partner sewers, and protecting the health of our fellow Filipinos.

– Beth Yang, Ground Coordinator, Mask4AllPH

Made by the community, for the community

Pilmico’s flour-sacks-to-face-masks campaign supports the overarching goal of #Mask4AllPH: free face masks that are made by the community, for the community, starting with the 71 seamstresses who make their livelihood from it.

PGH standards for face masks

To ensure proper protection against COVID-19, all face masks produced and distributed by the Mask4AllPH movement are quality-checked to ensure compliance with recommended standards of the the Philippine General Hospital. Prior to production, the face mask designs and samples are submitted to the institution's Hospital Inspection Control Unit for assessment and approval.

Catriona for Mask4AllPH

Mask4AllPH is part of the Bayanihan Musikahan, which held a series of free online fundraising concerts by several Filipino artists led by National Artist Ryan Cayabyab.

In her video for Mask4ALLPH, 2018 Miss Universe Catriona Gray thanked everyone who supported the initiative. She also called for assistance through donations, which could help in benefiting more urban poor communities.