Duterte warns traders: Don’t hoard face masks
Credit to Author: THE MANILA TIMES| Date: Tue, 14 Jan 2020 03:27:16 +0000
President Rodrigo Duterte has warned traders against hoarding N95 face masks amid the spread of ashfall from Taal Volcano.
Speaking to reporters in Taguig City on Monday night, Duterte said that he would like to set a limit on the prices of face masks following the complaints.
“If the demand is high then magkakaroon tayo ng medyo magkulang (we’re going to have a shortage), then the prices go up. Or the worst thing that they can do if they have enough supplies and yet they are selling it at prohibitive prices already,” he said.
“Mura na man ‘yan, bakit (That’s supposed to be cheap. Why)…? Do not hoard it. ‘Pag itinago ninyo then (If you hoard them) I will be forced to order na pasukin ka (to raid your businesses),” he added.
He said the government could also distribute free N95 face masks to people who could not afford it.
“For those who cannot afford it, we will give it free,” Duterte said, noting that he could ask military and police to hand out the face masks.
CATHERINE S. VALENTE