By Liezle Basa-Inigo
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in the Ilocos region has been closely monitoring the supply and prices of N-88 and N-95 face masks, alcohol, sanitized gloves, and nebulizer kits.
The largest health care and beauty care chain store ran out of stocks of face masks. (Liezle Basa Inigo / MANILA BULLETIN)
DTI conducted monitoring of the supply and prices of face masks, alcohol, and other medical supplies as demand for these products continued to surge due to the public’s fear of the 2019 novel Coronavirus (nCoV).
The report said Zaldy Zafra, officer-in-charge of the Consumer Protection Division (CPD), led the Regional Office monitoring team.
Among the establishments being closely monitored are major drugstores and pharmacies in San Fernando City, Bauang, Naguilian, San Juan and Bacnotan in La Union.
The agency was monitoring if the N88 masks were being sold within the prescribed price range of P3 to P8, and that of N95 between P50 to P100.
The DTI teams also found out that most of these establishments have ran out of masks to sell.