A Baguio-based university and a brewery in Sagada, Mountain Province are among the latest to produce alcohol to help in the battle against the coronavirus disease-2019 (Covid-19).
The University of the Philippines Baguio announced on April 8 that its team has been successful in producing ethyl alcohol at the university laboratory.
Through its Facebook page, UP Baguio said the team, composed of Chemistry faculty members Ofelia Giron and Reymark Ereje, Joeran Valdez, and Biology alumni and research assistants Donna Castro, Jen Manglinong and Bea Palaganas initially produced 47 liters of 70 percent ethyl alcohol in the school’s laboratory.
On April 7, the team produced 10 liters of ethyl alcohol and another 37 liters on April 8, according to the Facebook post.
“It is currently in the process of producing more as the UP Baguio administration seeks to help address the need for disinfection solutions especially of public healthcare facilities in the locality,” the post said.
In Mountain Province, local beer maker Sagada Cellar Door also produced ethyl alcohol, which it donated to the Rural Health Unit to be used by healthcare professionals serving as frontliners in the town’s efforts to contain Covid-19.
Owners of the local brewery, also in a post shared on Facebook, said the 70 percent ethyl alcohol was distilled from the beer they are manufacturing.
UP Baguio and the Sagada Cellar Door are among the local institutions and firms that produced ethanol meant to help in the fight against the Covid-19.
Several government institutions and the groups from the private sector have been coming up with initiatives to fight the Covid-19 pandemic. – Jane B. Cadalig
