Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 11) — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) already eyes doubling the supply of face masks to 1 million per week amid the growing threat of the coronavirus disease or COVID-19 in the country, said the Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday.
“Meron isang manufacturer dito sa atin sa Bataan na nag-allocate ng 500,000 na face masks per week para dito sa market bago sila mag-export. Kaso mukhang magkukulang, kaya kinakausap [ng DTI] na doblehin—to increase to 1 million ang allocation sa Pilipinas—bago sila mag export,” said Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Director General Eric Domingo in a press briefing held by DOH.
He added that discussions between DTI and the manufacturer seemed “favorable.”
Since news about the COVID-19 hit the country, medical supply stores have quickly run out of surgical masks. Other hygiene products such as hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, and even toilet papers have also been sold out in several stores, as panic buying gripped the country.
There are currently at least 49 confirmed cases of the viral illness in the Philippines as of March 11.
