Duterte wants price cap on face masks, gov’t ready to distribute it for free

MANILA, Philippines— President Rodrigo Duterte wants to impose a price cap on face masks as he warned against hoarding amid the Taal Volcano’s continuous heightened activity.

Duterte also assured the readiness of the government to distribute free face masks to those who could not afford these.

“I am not surprised kasi itong mga negosyante (these traders), if the demand is high…then the prices go up. Or the worst thing that they can do, if they have enough supplies and yet they are selling it at prohibitive prices already,” Duterte said Monday, when sought for comment on rising prices of face masks.

“I am setting the limit. I’d like to talk to the public health secretary tomorrow,” he added. “Mura naman yan (These are cheap). Do not hoard it. Pag tinago ninyo (If you hoard these) then I will be forced to order, pasukin ka (go after you).”

“For those who cannot afford it, we will give it free. Bibigay ko sa sundalo pati pulis (I will give these to soldiers and police for distribution). In times of crisis talaga, to manage the situation, it’s the military and police,” the President further said.

On Sunday afternoon, Taal Volcano spewed steam, ash, and small rocks, prompting the government to order the evacuation of residents in nearby areas.

As residents in affected areas experienced ashfall, prices of N95 face masks reportedly began to soar as much as P200 per piece.

Health experts advised the public to wear N95 masks as protection against volcanic ashfall.

N95 is a rating of protective masks by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. This means that the mask protects against 95 percent of airborne particles but not resistant to oil fumes.