BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – The city government here will soon distribute free face masks to selected residents amid the 2019 novel Coronavirus scare.
Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran said they will prioritize the elderly and the sick.
City Health Officer Ma. Carmela Gensoli said only those vulnerable in getting the disease shall use the prescribed face masks.
“Actually we don’t advise everyone to use the mask; only those who are sick and those vulnerable patients like diabetics, hypertensives, those with cardiovascular diseases, and cancer patients especially those who are undergoing dialysis. Also those who have colds, they need to use mask,” said Gensoli.
Meanwhile, Familiaran said there is no hoarding of face masks in the city despite the surge in demand.
He said the Department of Trade and Industry and the Price Monitoring Council are closely monitoring the prices of face masks in the market.
“[If a store sells] more than 10 percent of what is the suggested retail price, it may be subject to closure,” the vice mayor said.
