Are Locally Made Sanitary Products Consumer-Cost Friendly?

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has not only resulted in a staggering number of casualties but has also led to a significant depletion in the availability of crucial sanitary supplies worldwide. In the province of Northern Samar, this shortage was keenly felt, with essential items like face masks, rubbing alcohol, and soap becoming scarce within the first week of the gradual closure of businesses. Consequently, individuals with limited financial means encountered immense challenges in obtaining these vital sanitary products to safeguard themselves against the deadly virus. As the sole public institution of higher education in Northern Samar, the University of Eastern Philippines (UEP) took proactive measures to address the dwindling supply of sanitary goods. Leveraging its research and development unit, UEP embarked on initiatives to bolster local communities' access to essential items. Notably, these efforts included the production of antibacterial bar soap derived from Salacia korthalsiana Miq. (Polipog) and bioethanol extract sourced from Nypa fruticans (Nipa) palm. These innovative products developed by UEP were subsequently distributed to underserved communities across Northern Samar. Through a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis, it was established that UEP's offerings were significantly more affordable compared to those available in commercial outlets. This underscores the potential for UEP, with adequate financial backing from both internal and external sources, to continue developing cost-effective sanitary solutions tailored to economically disadvantaged communities' needs.