Manila Bulletin
Foreign face mask suppliers sending stocks; 12 stores charge of profiteering – DTI
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has charged 12 out of 17 business establishments in Bambang, Manila, with alleged profiteering on N95 masks and other medical supplies.
These establishments were issued notices of violations for significantly increasing prices, with some doubling the cost of N95 masks, which is a violation of the Consumer Act.
The DTI warned that erring businesses face administrative and criminal charges, with penalties ranging from P5,000 to P2 million.
The agency also recommended to the local government of Manila to suspend the medical supply stores in Bambang.
DTI inspectors are monitoring prices and supply in Metro Manila and Calabarzon, and have dispatched teams to observe the situation in affected areas.
Big drugstores like Mercury Drug and Watsons have committed to not increase prices and to replenish stocks in affected areas.
The DTI warned the public against fake or low-quality N95 masks, and the Department of Health (DOH) will confiscate such items, noting that real N95 masks should be registered with the FDA and adhere to certain standards.
Topics in this story
Explore more stories about these topics.
🤖
This story was generated by AI to help you understand the key points. For more detailed coverage, please see the news articles from trusted media outlets below.
News Sources
See how different news organizations are covering this story. Below are the original articles from various Philippine news sources that contributed to this summary.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is monitoring market prices for face masks following the Taal Volcano eruption, with N95 masks selling for P120 to P150 and surgical masks increasing from P1 to P4.
Read more →
Manila Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan ordered an investigation into reports of overpriced N95 masks being sold for up to P200 each following the ashfall from Taal Volcano's eruption.
Read more →
Manila City Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso ordered the Manila Business Processing Office to issue show cause orders against merchandisers who allegedly sold overpriced facemasks.
Read more →
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) assures the public of a stable supply of N95 and N88 face masks during the Taal Volcano eruption.
Read more →
The Department of Health (DOH) has implemented a price freeze on 218 basic essential medicines and medical supplies in areas affected by the Taal Volcano eruption, including Batangas province.
+1
Read more →