The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) lifted the purchase limits on face masks, alcohol, and some food items now that inventories for these essential items have normalized.
During the start of the pandemic in the country, there was a shortage in face masks and alcohol due to citizens hoarding these items and some countries imposing export restrictions during quarantine.
“Now we have an abundant supply of masks, and that’s the reason why just recently, about two days ago we are removing these limits in purchases,” said DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez today, June 24.
Before this, through an anti-panic buying circular issued last Mar. 14, a purchase limit of only a week’s worth of disinfectant alcohol, hand sanitizers, bath soap, toilet paper, face masks, instant noodles, canned sardines and other basic goods for every transaction was set. Anyone caught violating this would be penalized with P5,000 to P2 million and imprisoned for five to 15 years for hoarding and reselling at a higher price.
On May 23, Lopez reported that the supply for face masks and disinfectant alcohol were starting to normalize again. He added that the stabilization of the supply may be due to the rise of local manufacturers who have been producing such products.
Citizens can now buy a box containing 50 face masks. Purchase limits for food like instant noodles and other essential items have been removed. DTI is also encouraging local factories to use a portion of their facilities to produce face masks, ventilators and other personal protective equipment needed for medical facilities handling COVID-19 testing and patient care.
“We were able to manage a healthy inventory level for raw materials as well as finished goods inventory of basic food and essential products,” Lopez said.
Header photo courtesy of Tai’s Captures on Unsplash
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