The central office of the Department of Trade and Industry was able to get some supply of N-88 masks from a Bataan-based manufacturer of medical masks.
With the assistance of the Philippine International Trading Corporation, the DTI has procured from local manufacturer MedTecs125,000 pieces N-88 masks. Of these, 70,000 pieces were delivered to the Department of Health, DTI regional offices and its attached agencies.
MedTecs also committed to double its production, so it can provide 400,000 pieces of masks weekly. Among these, 200,000 pieces will go to the DOH, 100,000 to the Philippine Red Cross and other government agencies. Another 100,000 pieces will be allocated to private retailers Mercury Drug and Southstar Drug for distribution nationwide.
With weekly supply to leading drug stores in the country, consumers can be assured access to N-88 masks. Mercury Drug has over 1,000 branches nationwide and Southstar Drug has 500 branches.
The Legal Department of the DOH-CAR is preparing letters to three drugstores based in Baguio City that were found to have been selling rubbing alcohol and face masks above the suggested retail price.
DOH-CAR Director Amelita Pangilinan said the agency will sue these drugstores for violating the Consumer Price Act.
Meanwhile, DTI-CAR is the lead agency for the annual Cordillera Day celebrations this year.
DTI-CAR Director Myrna P. Pablo, sectoral chairperson of the economic development committee of the Cordillera Regional Development Council has initially met with members of committee for the preparations of the 34th Cordillera Administrative Region Day celebrations. — DTI with reports from Rimaliza A. Opiña
April 20, 2024
