BACOLOD CITY, Philippines April 2 (PIA6) -- Hitting two birds with one stone, the local government of Philippines city Bacolod, thru its City Cooperative and Livelihood Development Office, has launched a mass production of masks to meet the needs and provide livelihood to residents.

Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia tasked the CCLDO to tap home-based accredited sewers to manufacture, as quickly as possible 50,000 pieces of washable/reusable facial masks.

The number of deliverables can be increased to 100,000 if enough sewers will participate.

According to Bacolod City Information Office, sewers will be provided pre-cut materials based on a DOH-approved design and will be paid 10 for every piece sewn and submitted back to the CCLDO.

"While these will not be medical-grade facial masks, this program will augment supply of commercially-sold facial masks which are close to running out because replacement stocks cannot be easily or quickly sourced from the usual suppliers," a statement from the release said.

Bacolod City Health Office sanitation inspectors will check on the home work sites before sewers are allowed to participate in the program.

The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office will do the centralized disinfection and packaging of finished product prior to its distribution to the city's medical frontliners, health workers at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital, city and barangay health workers, emergency responders, quarantine centers, PNP personnel at check-up points, those doing contact-tracing, and other priority groups that may be identified by the City Health Office and the DRRMO.