Stores run out of N95 masks; profiteers warned

MANILA, Philippines — To protect themselves from respiratory diseases that may result from the ashfall spewed by Taal Volcano, Filipinos have been rushing to drugstores since Sunday to buy face masks.

The increase in demand and scarce supply prompted some stores to jack up prices.

Amid the high demand for N95 masks, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)
 recommended setting limits per customer and ordered monitoring of retail prices.

The DTI said it would continue to monitor prices of basic necessities and prime commodities to ensure no unwarranted price increases.

The price of an ordinary surgical mask, which was sold at P30 per box before the volcano erupted, went up to as high as P100.

There have been reports that the price of an N95 mask rose to P200.

People rushed to Bambang in Manila, where several medical equipment and supply stores are located, to buy masks, particularly the N95.

They endured long lines and waited for a longer time to buy masks even as the prices increased. 

A pharmacist of a popular drugstore said they have run out of stock since Sunday afternoon, or hours after the volcano erupted.

A vendor along Sta. Cruz made a killing by selling face masks made of cloth usually used by motorcycle riders.

“This can be an alternative in the absence of a surgical face mask,” he said.

Maclina Sarol, 42, of Pandacan, Manila lined up for hours to buy four pieces of N95 mask.

“I have a five-year-old child. I want to have a stock of N95 in case we need them,” Sarol said. 

Another woman, who refused to be identified, said she intended to buy several boxes of N95 and surgical masks, which her cousin would sell in Batangas.

Cecilio Marquez, a senior citizen from Caloocan who was waiting for his turn outside a medical supply store, said he went to Bambang after he failed to buy from drugstores in Monumento.

Aside from people in Metro Manila, residents in Baguio City rushed out on Sunday night to buy face masks.

Limit per customer

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said they suggested to retailers to ration or limit the purchase of masks per customer.

He said the DTI deployed teams to check and monitor prices.

The DTI’s move was prompted by reports that some retailers jacked up the prices of face and gas masks as demand increased.

There have been complaints that N95 masks are sold for as high as P120 apiece in a drug store in Muntinlupa.

Drugstores Watsons Philippines and Mercury Drug said N95 masks are temporarily unavailable and that they are coordinating with suppliers to make the item available as soon as possible.

Mercury Drug said its priority areas for inventory replenishment are those near Taal Volcano.

Both stores committed to maintain prices.

Apart from the prices of face masks, the DTI will continue to monitor the prices of basic and prime commodities.

Lopez said prices of these basic goods should remain unchanged from the suggested retail price (SRP) bulletin published in September.

Goods covered by the SRP list are basic necessities such as canned sardines, milk, coffee, bread, instant noodles, salt, detergent soap, bottled water and candles.

Also part of the SRP list are prime commodities such as luncheon meat, meat loaf, corned beef, beef loaf, vinegar, patis or fish sauce, soy sauce, as well as toilet soap and batteries.

The city government of Manila ordered all establishments selling face masks inspected following reports of overpricing.

Manila Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna ordered the  Bureau of Permits to file charges against unscrupulous businessmen caught overpricing face masks.

Lacuna distributed face masks to residents, vendors and street dwellers along TM Kalaw Avenue. 

In Caloocan, Mayor Oscar Malapitan distributed face masks to city hall employees assigned in the field. 

Disease surge

The Department of Health (DOH) is bracing for a possible surge in respiratory and eye disease following the eruption of Taal Volcano.

All DOH hospitals in Calabarzon [Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon] have been placed on blue alert, while those in the National Capital Region are under white alert, DOH Undersecretary Eric Domingo said yesterday.

These hospitals should ensure that their logistics and manpower are adequate and ready when the need arises.

Among the cities and municipalities involved in the evacuation are Agoncillo, Balete, Batangas, Cuenca, Laurel, Lemery, Lipa, Mataas na Kahoy, San Nicolas, Talisay, Tanauan and Sitio Tibang. 

The DOH has not yet received any report of hospitalization due to the eruption.  

Domingo said some P1.5 million worth of supplies, including N95 masks, collapsible water containers and purifiers and respiratory medicine for those with asthma have been released for distribution to residents affected by the eruption.

Domingo urged people with respiratory conditions such as asthma, emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to take precautionary measures.

He stressed the need for them to wear N95 masks, especially if they are located in high risk areas like Calabarzon.

Those in other areas like Metro Manila may use ordinary surgical masks or layers of cloth to cover their nose and mouth. 

Domingo said the ashfall may contain harmful particles like silicon, which can be harmful especially to those who have respiratory condition.  

When inhaled, the silicon can be accumulated in the lungs, causing inflammation and scarring.  

He said wearing contact lens is not advisable as ashfall or dust can stick to them. 

“Smoke and small particles with sulfur can irritate the mucosal membrane of the body, like the eyes. It can irritate your eyes quite badly,” he added.

People are advised to wash their eyes with clean and cold water immediately once dust gets into them.

Rubbing the eyes is not advisable as ash can damage the cornea.

Domingo urged the public not to look up as the ash may fall directly into their eyes.  

Domingo advised residents in heavily affected areas to wear protective clothing such as long sleeves and pants as volcanic ash can irritate the skin.

“Skin disease is another condition we have to watch out for. It is best to wrap your head, leaving your eyes exposed, wear protective eyeglasses,” he said. 

Warning

Senators warned businessmen against taking advantage of the situation by increasing prices of basic goods.

They urged employers to consider sending their employees home, especially those in areas where ashfall is heaviest, to prevent injuries and health problems.

“We should not allow anybody to take advantage of the current difficult situation brought by the Taal Volcano eruption,” Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III said.

Sen. Sonny Angara urged residents living near the volcano to heed advice of the government, particularly the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, the DOH and local government units (LGUs). 

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said the disaster should prompt national government agencies and the legislature to extend support to concerned LGUs.

Sen. Imee Marcos said authorities could maximize the use of social media in extending assistance as she urged the public to be responsible in using such platforms to avoid confusion, panic or harm.

Sen. Joel Villanueva called on the Department of Labor and Employment to issue a work advisory in Calabarzon, especially in Batangas, to ensure the health and safety of workers.

Sen. Nancy Binay urged the DOH as well as the Department of Social Welfare and Development to include face masks in relief packages for residents affected by the volcano eruption.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros cited the DTI for acting on the reported cases of overpricing of face masks.

Rep. Nina Taduran of ACT-CIS Party-list warned business establishments and pharmaceutical shops against hoarding and overpricing of in-demand medical supplies and basic commodities. – With Louella Desiderio, Sheila Crisostomo, Paolo Romero, Marc Jason Cayabyab, Delon Porcalla, Artemio Dumlao