Central Mindanao University Academic Paradise of the South
On the first wave of CMU Cares campaign, the University distributed hand sanitizers to various frontline institutions in the province, including the two cities and five municipalities, namely, Malaybalay, Valencia, Don Carlos, Impasug-ong, Kadingilan, Manolo Fortich, and Maramag.
As of April 2, 2020, a total of 113 liters of hand sanitizers were distributed to the following: Bukidnon Provincial Medical Center, Bukidnon Provincial Hospital-Maramag, Bukidnon Provincial Hospital-Manolo Fortich, Impasug-ong Municipal Hospital, some hospitals in Valencia, and our University Hospital. Hand sanitizers were also distributed to the office of Governor Jose Ma. F. Zubiri, Provincial Veterinary Office, Municipal Agriculture Office-Imasug-ong, San Isidro Parish, LGU-Dologon, and Maramag and Valencia Checkpoints.
This initiative is in response to the overwhelming demand of hand sanitizers in the province after the country recorded increasing cases of positive COVID-19 patients. The Team of faculty researchers started formulating the hand sanitizers out from the existing available raw materials in their respective laboratories to help those in the frontline offices in the province.
Dr. Melania Enot, Director of NPRDC, disclosed that this is a collaborative effort of the different faculty researchers and science laboratories in the University to formulate an alcohol-based hand sanitizer as one of the preventive measures to help fight the spread of the virus. She said that the formulation of this hand sanitizer is based on the recommended formulation of the World Health Organization.
The formulated hand sanitizers contain 80% alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, double distilled water, and glycerol.
However, Dr. Enot said that they are just relying on the available raw materials in the University as some of these are only loaned out from some research projects and are subject to replacement.
Further, she said that the CMU Team is willing to give technical assistance to other municipalities as long as raw materials will be provided.
Meanwhile, the CMU Ethanol Production Team was formed to sustain the production of hand sanitizers as the supply for alcohol was down to the last bottle. The Team is now experimenting on molasses as a source for ethanol. According to Dr. Joy Jamago, this team will continue on the work until the current global health crisis has passed.
Aside from hand sanitizers, disinfectant solutions and PPEs like face masks and face shields were also provided by the university.
CMU community is grateful for the efforts of the following individuals and offices: Natural Products Research Center (NPRDC) headed by Dr. Melania Enot; National Science Research Center (NSRC) headed by Dr. Gina Barbosa; Food Research Development Center (FRDC) headed by Dr. Queenie Ann Curayag; Soil and Plant Analysis Laboratory (SPAL) headed by Dr. Myrna Pabiona; Chemistry and Biology Department; Agricultural Engineering Department headed by Engr. Emmie Reyes; Dr. Joy Jamago of Agronomy Department; Prof. Ailene G. Ang; and Tuklas Lunas Development Center headed by Dr. Reggie Y. Dela Cruz. (IADalipe-Neri)
Photo Credits:
Dr. Rolito G. Eballe & Kadingilan Municipal Police Station
