Philippine News Agency
12 Bambang stores flagged for selling overpriced N95 masks
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.
The Manila city government is cracking down on stores selling overpriced air filtration masks, with merchants facing permit revocation and charges if found guilty.
At least 12 medical supply stores along Bambang Street in Sta. Cruz, Manila have been issued notices of violation for selling overpriced N95 masks.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) stated that the allowable price range for N95 masks is PHP45 to PHP105, based on the Department of Health's (DOH) standard retail price bulletin.
However, some traders and retailers have been selling N95 masks from PHP200 to PHP400 due to increased demand following advisories to wear them as protection from volcanic ashfall.
DTI Undersecretary Ruth Castelo warned that any price exceeding the ceiling is an offense, and the agency will issue formal charges against the 12 identified stores.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Supplies of face masks have run out in many stores in Metro Manila, nearby provinces in the south, and Antipolo City as Taal Volcano continued to spew ash.
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