DTI CARAGA: HIGHEST PRICE OF FACE MASK RECORDED IN BUTUAN CITY

BUTUAN CITY - In the Data gathering conducted by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Caraga, for the price checking and medical supplies monitoring, particularly of N95 mask, alcohol, and medical kits, prices of N95 face masks are now at P45 to P105.

Some of the areas from where DTI Caraga collected data are Butuan City, Agusan del Sur, San Francisco, Trento, Bayugan, Tandag, and Bislig.

Lorijane Sacote, DTI Caraga, Chief of Consumer Protection Division, said they based the prices on DOH Memo #2020-305 for reference.

Data shows most of the provinces complied with the price range set by DOH, aside from one establishment in Butuan, where the most expensive priced face masks can be bought for P170.

DTI Caraga urges public consumers to avoid panic-buying and be vigilant in purchasing face masks, especially online.

Meanwhile, DTI and DOH are planning for possible importation of face masks to address the problem of supply, since the third case of coronavirus in the country has been recorded.