Supply of basic goods, alcohol enough, manufacturers assure public

MANILA, Philippines — Even as manufacturers assured the public of enough supply of basic goods, alcohol and disinfectants amid increased demand due to rising cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the country, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has proposed an executive order giving it the power to visit stores with law enforcers to curb overpricing and hoarding.

DTI officials would be accompanied by either policemen or agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in inspecting stores.

The DTI said manufacturers gave the assurance of sufficient supply of goods during an emergency meeting with the agency.

Manufacturers said regular stocks in warehouses are seen to last for one month and they could produce more when needed.

Overpricing is considered an unfair and unconscionable sales act or practice under Republic Act 7394 or the Consumer Act, and an act of profiteering under RA 7581 or the Price Act.

Under the Consumer Act, those engaged in overpricing may face an administrative sanction of up to P300,000 and/or imprisonment of up to one year.

For profiteering, the Price Act imposes a fine of up to P2 million and/or imprisonment of up to 15 years.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said he expects the proposed EO to be issued as soon as possible.

“Consumers need not worry as we have enough stocks of basic goods in the market. The DTI is working closely with the manufacturers and retailers to ensure continued flow of supply in the market and reasonableness of prices of basic goods including disinfectants,” Lopez said.

To prevent overpricing and hoarding in stores, the DTI has proposed the issuance of an EO to make it easier to file cases and impose stiffer penalties.

Basic goods include canned fish and other marine products, instant noodles, bottled water, bread, processed milk, coffee, candles, laundry soap, detergent and salt.

With the country under a state of public health emergency due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the DTI said a price freeze on basic goods is in effect nationwide for 60 days.

NFA said there is sufficient rice supply in the country.

On alcohol and disinfectants, manufacturers Green Cross Inc. and Philusa Corp. said there is enough supply for the coming months and no price hikes would be implemented for brands Green Cross, Rhea and Cleene.

For medicines, Mercury Drug said it maintains a month’s stock of inventories.

Face masks

On masks, Lopez said the DTI has renegotiated with the country’s sole manufacturer Medtecs International Corp. Ltd. to increase supply to the Philippines to four million units per month from 1.6 million units to be able to replenish stores as the bulk of the initial volume was allocated for health workers and frontliners of the Department of Health and the Red Cross.

He said the government also found another source of masks from India that can supply 2.5 million units if drugstores will take it.

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) belied yesterday reports that the bureau is allegedly delaying the release of imported face masks amid the rise of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines. 

“The Bureau of Customs has received reports that imported masks are allegedly being held at Customs. We would like to assure the public that this is not true,” BOC spokesman Vincent Philip Maronilla said. 

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, Maronilla said that their ports and concerned offices in the country were told to expedite the clearance and the release of masks and other emergency supplies. 

Maronilla’s statement came after the BOC received complaint from 8888 Citizen’s Complaint Hotline that the bureau is allegedly holding the shipments of surgical masks. 

Amid the panic buying caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, the environmental group EcoWaste Coalition yesterday urged health authorities to release a list of antiseptic and disinfectant products such as rubbing alcohol and hand sanitizers that are safe and effective to use.

Through a letter sent to Department of Health Undersecretary and concurrent Food and Drug Administration director general Rolando Enrique Domingo, the EcoWaste Coalition urged the agency to draw up and widely disseminate a positive list and negative list of rubbing alcohol (ethyl and isopropyl), alcohol spray, alcogel, alcologne, hand sanitizing gel, disinfecting wipes and similar products sold in the market. – With Robertzon Ramirez, Rhodina Villanueva, Louise Maureen Simeon