Face shield sellers warned against overpricing

By Dolly Yasa

 

BACOLOD City – Face shield sellers are cautioned against overpricing as the item is in high demand following orders for its mandatory use in public transport and even workplaces.

The chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) here issued the warning Friday.

Police Chief Master Sgt. Ramiro Gocotano, CIDG-Bacolod head, said they received reports of hoarding of face shields in a warehouse in the city to restrict supply and consequently jack up demand and prices.

Gocotano said they are still validating the information, but he theorized that the face shields will be sold higher than the suggested retail price set by the Department of Health at P26 to P50 apiece.

The DOH allowed a 10 percent mark up on the SRP for face shields sold in Visayas and Mindanao.

On Wednesday, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said employees will soon be required to wear face shields in their working places starting Aug 15, 2020.

“Effective August 15, it is not only face masks that workers should wear but also face shields. That is the new protocol,” Bello said.

Department of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade also said passengers using any mode of public transportation will be required to wear face shields, aside from face masks, effective Aug 15.

The rule is embodied in a memorandum circular released on Aug 4.