San Fernando monitors prices of medical supplies

PAMPANGA. Mila D. Rivera, Market Supervisor II of the City Market Operations Division, and DTI Pampanga led by Nathaniel M. Samson, division chief of Consumer Protection, inspected prices of medical supplies in various drugstores around the Poblacion area on February 10, 2020. (City of San Fernando CIO)
PAMPANGA. Mila D. Rivera, Market Supervisor II of the City Market Operations Division, and DTI Pampanga led by Nathaniel M. Samson, division chief of Consumer Protection, inspected prices of medical supplies in various drugstores around the Poblacion area on February 10, 2020. (City of San Fernando CIO)

THE City Government of San Fernando, through the Local Price Coordinating Council (LPCC), conducted price monitoring on medical supplies on a number of major drugstores, pharmacies, and retailers around the Poblacion area on Monday, February 10.

The City Marketing Operations Division (CMOD), together with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), led the inspection, which aims to closely monitor the prices of basic prime and commodities, especially medical supplies like surgical masks and N95.

Nathaniel M. Samson, division chief of Consumer Protection DTI Pampanga, said the agency is working hand in hand with the city to regulate the suggested retail price (SRP) for medical supplies issued by the Department of Health (DOH).

"We are conducting this activity to ensure that these drugstores are following the SRP set by DOH. Anyone proven to exceed in the price range given by DOH will be subjected to profiteering which has a penalty of P500 to P2 million, especially ngayon sa gitna ng calamity mas severe yung penalty for violators," Samson said.

The LCPCC is particularly monitoring the supply and prices of face masks, alcohol and other medical supplies as demand for these products continue to surge due to the public's fear of the novel coronavirus now officially known as Covid-19.

"Nag start kasi yan sa Taal eruption. Ang ginawa ng mga suppliers, hindi muna sila nag supply sa di apektadong mga lugar. Binigyang priority yung affected areas ng Taal eruption. And then pumasok yung nCoV. Ang problema ng supply hindi na lang problema ng Pilipinas, problem na rin ng buong mundo ngayon kaya sana wag nang mag take advantage ang mga retailers and medical stores," he said.

Meanwhile, Mila D. Rivera, Market Supervisor II of City Market Operations Division, encouraged all Fernandinos to avoid buying surgical masks from street vendors and instead go to licensed drugstores.

"Yung quality and component ng face mask na binebenta nila hindi natin sigurado if pasado. Mas maganda kung sa drugstore kasi regulated sila. Another, yung danger sa pagbili sa bangketa, ngayon nandito sila pero bukas wala na kasi mobile nga sila," she said.

Rivera also advised consumers to report to them any store charging overprice on medical supplies. These stores will be recommended to the Business License and Permit Division as subject for closure.

"Better kung may proof sila kasi for sure, ide-deny yan ng mga vendors. At tska maganda sa drugstore sila bumili kasi meron silang license from DOH na pag lumabag sila, talagang may kaakibat na parusa. Hindi sila mabibigyan ng LTO or License to Operate," Rivera said.

For his part, Mayor Edwin Santiago reminded Fernandinos to be vigilant and the retailers of medical supplies to not take advantage of the situation.

Consumers are enjoined to report to the DTI all retailers and suppliers selling overpriced masks by reporting it to the nearest DTI Provincial Office or calling the One-DTI (1-384) Hotline.

SRP from DOH:

* N95 -- P45 to P100

* Disposable Face Mask -- P1.10 to P8

* Ethyl Alcohol 70 percent Solution 60 mL -- P17.25 to P25.50

* Ethyl Alcohol 70 percent Solution 250 mL -- P36.75 to P41.75

* Ethyl Alcohol 70 percent Solution 500 mL -- P61 to P74.25

Trending

No stories found.

Just in

No stories found.

Branded Content

No stories found.
SunStar Publishing Inc.
www.sunstar.com.ph