THE Cebu City Government has announced that it will be giving out free surgical masks to the public amid the 2019 novel coronavirus-acute respiratory disease (2019-nCoV-ARD) scare.
Money for the purchase will be taken from the City’s unused disaster trust fund, Mayor Edgardo Labella said, adding that the City will start canvassing for masks once the City Council approves the purchase.
The City will also augment personal protective equipment, such as gloves, protective suits and thermal guns, of employees at the Bureau of Quarantine and the Department of Health (DOH).
Labella said they are still looking for a supplier since pharmacies are running out of masks because of high public demand.
Cebu City, which has been under a state of preparedness since Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020, allows barangay captains to use 70 percent of their local disaster fund for disaster prevention, mitigation and preparedness to address the viral threat.
Mambaling Barangay Captain Gines Abella said he plans to purchase surgical masks for his constituents, prioritizing those who have immune-deficiency problems, the children and senior citizens.
Starting Monday, Feb. 3, the barangay will also start its free vaccination against pneumonia to be held at their barangay health center, Abella said.
City Attorney Rey Gealon said there is no legal impediment for barangay captains to use 70 percent of their local disaster fund.
Citing Republic Act (RA) 10121, or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, Gealon said the law is “geared towards pro-activeness rather than reactiveness.”
“Pursuant to RA 10121, 30 percent of the local disaster management fund shall be allocated as Quick Response Fund, which serves as a stand-by fund for relief and recovery programs, while the 70 percent shall be used for pre-disaster measures,” he said.
The Mandaue City Health Office (MCHO) also proposed to purchase surgical masks, but it will only distribute these to government employees.
Dr. Rose Marie Ouano-Tirado, MCHO head, said they will prioritize employees who have direct dealing with the public.
However, she said they, too, are having a problem finding a supplier.
“We still need to talk with Mayor Jonas Cortes regarding a contingency plan,” she said in Cebuano.
Tirano said they also plan to distribute masks to the elderly, pregnant women and those who are immunocompromised like cancer patients.
She said they will also purchase thermal scanners that will be placed at the entrances of government offices.
Price monitoring
In an advisory Saturday, Feb. 1, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it has been monitoring the price of surgical masks in 10 establishments in Cebu City since Friday, Jan. 31, following complaints of overpricing.
It said the price of disposable masks ranges from P2 to P10, while that of N95 masks ranges from P95 to P200, which is beyond the suggested retail price (SRP).
According to the DOH, disposable face masks should only sell between P1.10 and P8, while prices of N95 face masks should only range from P45 to P105.
DTI Cebu also said it will issue a letter of inquiry to three stores, which it did not name, while two are to be investigated based on complaints.
Three online sellers have also been reported selling masks beyond the SRP.
“Online sellers selling disposable face masks over the SRP P8 are now recorded and will be traced with the help of the National Bureau of Investigation,” DTI Cebu said.
DTI 7 Director Asteria Caberte has requested for more mask supplies from pharmacies in the region to address the shortage but only SouthStar Pharmacy, Mercury Drug and Watsons responded to the request by committing to provide more surgical masks.
Several pharmacies in Cebu have posted signs in their establishments that they’ve run out of masks.
Establishments caught overpricing will face a maximum fine of P300,000.
Not required
Complainants are urged to email a copy of the official receipt, invoice or delivery receipt with the complete address of seller to ro7.cebu@dti.gov.ph.
One wholesaler of N95 masks here in Cebu who asked not to be named said prices went up because fewer flights from China had forced them to buy masks in Canada, where these are more expensive.
The DOH 7 does not require persons to wear masks unless they have a respiratory problem or are immunocompromised, such as those suffering from severe diabetes, severe hypertension, severe immune-deficiency problems and those undergoing anti-cancer regimen.
However, DOH 7 Director Jaime Bernadas advised travelers from abroad suffering from cough, fever and colds to wear surgical masks.
There has been a rush to buy masks after the DOH announced Thursday, Jan. 30, that a 38-year-old female from China had become the first confirmed case of the 2019-nCoV-ARD in the Philippines.
Bernadas said a regular surgical mask is only effective for eight hours.
“If you use one mask for 24 hours, you are putting more risk to yourself than in the open air,” Bernadas said.
In a press briefing Friday, DOH Undersecretary Eric Domingo asked the public to be “judicious” in the use of masks, saying it was best to reserve N95 masks for health workers who actually handle suspected and confirmed 2019-nCoV-ARD cases.
For the public, he said, surgical masks would do.
“Using a face mask is effective only if you couple it with other hygienic practices like proper handwashing regularly,” he reminded everyone. / JJL, KFD, WBS, CSL