The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Davao Region (DSWD-11) turned over 1.8 million washable face masks to the city government here on Wednesday.

In an interview, DSWD-11 Director Raquel Nuñez told the Philippine News Agency said the priority beneficiaries are low-income families, which will receive five face masks per household.

The distribution of the face masks is a project of the Office of the President under the “Libreng Face Mask Para sa Masa” program, which aims to advocate the use of the face mask as a primary defense against coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

In Davao Region, Nuñez said this city was identified to receive the face masks due to the number of Covid-19 cases.

“We have yet to identify the next province and it will be based on the assessment of the regional Inter-Agency Task Force,” she added.

The washable face masks intend to serve 360,000 low-income families identified by the city government. (PNA)