FORMULA OF HOPE. In the hope of helping communities to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 disease, Chemistry teacher Rohit C. Tilwani of Philippine Science High School (left) together with his lab assistant Mia Q. Garcia (middle), and PSHS school nurse Hazel Marie B. Calma (right) formulates a 70% ethyl alcohol which will be distributed to local and private hospitals in Pampanga. Tilwani and his colleagues were able to produce 30 liters of ethyl alcohol. This initiative is part of PSHS corporate social responsibility in response to COVID-19 threat. (Contributed photo)
CLARK FREEPORT— A faculty member of the Philippine Science High School (PSHS) inside this Freeport was able to formulate much-needed ethyl alcohol from the school’s laboratory supply and donated about 30 liters to hospitals in Pampanga, including police personnel manning some checkpoints.
Using what is available in the inventory of the school, chemistry teacher Rohit Tilwani was able to make 60 bottles of 500 mL ethyl alcohol. Primary recipient was the Jose B. Lingad Memorial Medical Center in the City of San Fernando, the designated regional hospital for COVID-19 patients. He also donated to the Rafael Lazatin Medical Center in Angeles City (formerly Ospital Ning Angeles-ONA).
“Rather than being left unutilized, we put it to good use. We hope it could help prevent the spread of the virus,” Tilwani said in an interview.
The laboratory head was assisted by his colleagues, school nurse Hazel Marie Calma and lab assistant Mia Garcia. They were able to formulate the diluted alcohol from the 100 percent alcohol solution intended for experiments of students. PSHS is under the direction of the Campus Director Theresa Anne Diaz.
They also gave several bottles of alcohol to the police manning check points in the cities of San Fernando and Angeles, and the municipality of Magalang, along with personnel of the Public Safety Department of Clark Development Corporation (CDC) assigned at the Freeport’s main gate.
Tilwani, a licensed chemist, also disclosed that they also formulated 33 bottles of 500 mL each of disinfectant solution to be distributed in Barangay Marcos Village in Mabalacat City. It is intended as surface spray on door knobs, handles, tables and the like.
“We hope to be able to produce more until our supplies are exhausted,” Tilwani added.
He also said that they are producing 3D-printed face shields for frontliners like doctors, nurses and other health workers. About 200 pieces have been made and will be distributed next week. The face shield is made up of acetate, plastics and filaments.
“We will be giving out also face shields using the school fabrication laboratory. These will be given to frontliners,” Tilwani said.
He added that once the production is complete, they will inform CDC Health and Sanitation Division (HSD) Manager Dr. Clemencita Dobles for distribution to hospitals.
Aside from the alcohol, disinfectant and face shield, the school also donated N-95 masks to Mt. Carmel Hospital inside the Freeport. The masks were sourced from the emergency kits of the students of PSHS, Tilwani said.
