There is still no shortage of oxygen tank supply in the National Capital Region even as the country faces a new surge of coronavirus cases likely caused by the more transmissible Delta variant.
"Actually, kahit nitong huling dumating na ECQ (enhanced community quarantine), marami namang dumating na oxygen, hanggang ngayong araw naman na ito hindi naman tayo nagkakaroon ng shortage sa tanke dito sa NCR. (Even in the latest ECQ, many oxygen tanks have arrived. We do not have a shortage yet here in NCR," said Adrien Alon-Alon, owner of Caremart Medical Supplies, in an interview with DZMM Teleradyo on Thursday, August 5.
He added that even though there is a surge in COVID-19 cases, the price of oxygen tanks remains stable.
Majority of the oxygen tanks came from China, said Alon-alon.
He explained that when the oxygen tanks are delivered into the country, they undergo thorough inspection and each tank will have a sticker that indicates that it is already cleared and registered with the Department of Trade and Industry, and that those who refill them are documented to avoid substandard tanks.
Alon-alon also mentioned that clients who have been buying oxygen tanks and concentrators in the past few days are from Cebu since that is where the stock is limited.
He appealed to other suppliers of oxygen tanks in the metropolis not to take advantage of the situation.
"Let's not take advantage, tulong-tulong kasi hindi naman malulutas by overpricing. Paano yung talagang mga nangangailangan na talagang they really badly need ng oxygen, tatagain pa nila? Kawawa naman (Let's help each other because this cannot be solved by overpricing. How about those who really badly need oxygen?)," Alon-alon said.
As of Wednedsay, August 4, the country recorded 7,342 more COVID-19 cases, bringing the total tally to 1,619,824.