NANCY STARTS DRIVE FOR FREE MASKS FOR BACKLINERS
...targets over 100k washable masks distributed by December

In a bid to emphasize the importance of basic health protocols, particularly the use of face masks, Senator Nancy Binay has started giving away washable masks to backliners and informal sector workers.

As part of her advocacy, Binay has started the "#MaskForAll" and "#BeNiceWearAMask" project to ensure that the public, particularly backliners, have face masks as a bare minimum health safety requirement.

"Yung personal na panawagan ko is mask for all. Wearing of face masks is now mandatory, and it is the simplest and most important thing one could do to save one's life and the lives of others," Binay said.

Binay's "#MaskForAll" and "#BeNiceWearAMask" campaign started last May to encourage people to wear masks, and kickstart a donation drive for standard-grade masks and filtered reusable/washable fabric face masks to be distributed for free to backliners and informal sector workers.

The senator said that she will be tapping heads of local governments as well as partners from the private sector for help in distributing the face masks nationwide.

"Magpapamigay tayo ng mga face mask sa jeepney drivers, mga nagtitinda ng balut, buko, at iba pang mga kababayan natin sa informal sector," Binay said, adding "kaunting tulong lang, para bawas na rin sa gastusin ng mga kababayan natin sa informal sector."

While the vaccine against Covid is still a long wait, Binay urged the people not to anchor all their hopes on the development of a vaccine.

"Mismong WHO at maraming medikal experts na ang nagsabi, huwag tayong umasa sa bakuna. Ang mas mahalaga sa bahagi ng mga mamamayan ay ang ibayong pagiingat sapagkat mahirap mang tanggapin, in the present and near future, COVID-19 is part of our lives," Binay added.

Since May, donations have started pouring in from individuals and private sector companies.

"Gusto natin na maging bahagi na ng kamalayan ng mga Pilipino ang pagpa-practice ng mga basic health and safety protocols. Hindi mawawala sa isang iglap ang COVID-19, kaya kailangan ugaliin na ng lahat ang pag-gamit ng face mask, yung madalas na paghugas ng kamay, at social distancing," Binay said.

So far, localities in Makati, Marikina, Quezon City, Cebu, and Bohol have received the said masks.