Philippine Coconut Geonets ordinarily used to control soil erosion on sloping lands and embankments are now being used as disinfection mats in areas under quarantine to stop the spread of COVID-19.
The coconut fiber-based disinfection mats to disinfect tires and shoes have been set up in various checkpoints in Region IV-A including Paete, Nagcarlan, and Rizal in Laguna.
Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) Region 4-A’s Alexis Mojica shared with Good News Pilipinas how the disinfection mats are made of coconut husks that are usually thrown away by farmers.
The PCA Regional Technical Staff and Economist said the PCA had set up the community household level processing projects to create coconut geonets as a livelihood or business for cooperatives and associations of coconut farmers.
PCA provided free equipment such as 21 decorticating machines to create geonets and other by-products such as Coco peat or coir dust.
Mojica shares that the Coconut Geonets mats laid on the road with disinfection chemical help in getting rid of coronavirus on the road brought by vehicles and footwear.
“Sa pamamagitan ng paglalatag ng geonets sa kalsada, makatutulong ito para maalis o mapatay ang coronavirus na sinasabing naikakalat din sa ating mga kalsada na posibleng madala NG mga sasakyan at mga sapatos,” said Mojica.
The coconut geonets can also be cut up in smaller pieces to serve as a doormat for a foot bath.
The PCA IV-A is currently looking for donors of geonets to give to Local Government Units.
The coconut geonets disinfection mats project conceptualized by Atty. Janet K. Oclarit, Philippine Coconut Authority IV-A Regional Manager, use geonets donated by Pilipinas Ecofiber Corporation through its General Manager, Emmanuel Geremillo.
Mojica says the creation of the Coconut Geonets would only be possible under a General Community Quarantine or the “new normal” due to the shared service facility that brings people together in a common area.
To donate Coconut Geonets email pcaiva@yahoo.com
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