DTI encourages PH oxygen export to Indonesia amid shortage

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is encouraging Philippine oxygen manufacturers to export their excess supply to Indonesia, which is experiencing a critical shortage of medical oxygen due to a surge in COVID-19 cases.

Philippine Ambassador to Indonesia Leehiong Wee stated that oxygen supply is lacking and very expensive in Indonesia.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez previously mentioned that at least two local suppliers have the capacity to export, provided they have surplus and can still meet potential local demand surges.

Wee clarified that the export will not be a donation, but rather a Filipino company will be selling the supply to Indonesia.

Indonesia is facing a critical situation with a record 54,000 infections reported on Wednesday, a tenfold increase from the beginning of June, largely due to the highly contagious Delta variant.

The DTI had previously urged local oxygen producers to ramp up manufacturing by up to 50% in May to prepare for potential local surges.