Jurin said he would preside over an emergency meeting of the Central Committee for Prices of Goods and Services on Monday (February 3) to discuss the possibility of such a move.

“Domestic demand for face masks is normally at 30 million units per month, but during the coronavirus outbreak it could go up to 40 million,” he said. “The domestic production capacity could go as high as 100 million per month provided factories are supplied with enough raw materials. Currently we have no problem of raw materials shortage although some of them must be imported.”

Earlier, Jurin had ordered Provincial Commerce offices nationwide to survey and monitor the markets to make sure there was no shortage or raising of prices for protective face masks and hand sanitizer gels.

Consumers can report any exploitation by manufacturers, wholesalers or retailers to the Department of Internal Trade’s hotline 1569.