Traders told: Don’t hike prices for face shields

DOUBLE PROTECTION A traffic enforcer wears a face shield on top of his face mask. —GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines —With the demand for face shields growing after these became mandatory for all commuters starting on Aug. 15, the Manila local government warned traders in the city not to take advantage of consumers in the middle of a pandemic.

Bureau of Permits director Levi Facundo issued the appeal after receiving reports that some establishments were selling face shields at P100 each.

“I don’t think this is the time to take advantage of the public,” Facundo said, adding that many people had lost their jobs because of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

No SRP yet

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has yet to announce the suggested retail price (SRP) for face shields. But during an inspection of medical supplies stores on Bambang Street in Manila on Wednesday, the protective gear was being sold between P28 (wholesale) and P65.

The city government said it would “strictly monitor” the prices of face shields once the SRP had been set. Establishments caught selling face shields above the SRP would be issued show-cause orders, Facundo warned as he also called on people to report cases of overpricing. Aside from commuters, the drivers and conductors of public utility vehicles (PUVs) will also be required to use face shields on top of the obligatory face masks, according to the Department of Transportation.

The move aims to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in PUVs as cases continue to go up, particularly in Metro Manila.