Marjorie Homer has been looking for an oxygen tank for two days at medical supplies stores in Bambang, Manila.
She traveled from Rodriguez, Rizal, to take home her mother, who had a stroke and had difficulty breathing.
“Halos lahat po ‘ata nalibot na namin,” said Homer.
“Buhay po ng Mama namin, mahirap mawalan ng nanay. ‘Di baleng mawala na lahat, ‘wag lang nanay, mahirap po,” she added.
According to oxygen tank sellers, it has been 2 weeks with almost no supply coming. If anything, it is also said to be consumed quickly.
Due to high demand, the price of oxygen tanks has been increased by P400 to P1,000 compared to before Metro Manila’s enhanced community quarantine.
A 15 lbs oxygen tank, for example, now has P3,500 from the previous P2,700, while a 20 lbs tank now has P4,500 from P4,100.
“Mismong mga supplier namin wala, nagkaubusan na,” said Raquel Henario, who sells medical supplies.
She said the prices are still within the suggested retail price and maximum price set by the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
For Trade Undersecretary Ruth Castelo, there is no reason for retailers to raise prices today.
Oxygen tank prices increased in some stores in Manila
“In fact, according to the manufacturers, ang presyo ng oxygen natin has been the same for the last more than 10 years,” said Castelo.
“‘Yong retailers na nakikita natin na nagbebenta above the suggested retail price issued by the DOH, titingnan natin sila, and we will issue letters of inquiry,” she added.
There is also no shortage of oxygen supply.
Manufacturers produce 600 to 700 tons while the daily demand is only 250 to 30 tons.
But he said the lack of cylinder tanks or empty tanks is another matter.
Many of them are said to be stuck for several days in hospitals, which must be refilled immediately.
The Philippine Hospital Association (PHA) defended it is the responsibility of suppliers to collect and refill the tanks from hospitals.
It’s just that a lot of people are buying oxygen tanks now.
“Dumami rin ‘yong mga gumamit ng oxygen sa mga bahay-bahay nila kaya possible na ‘yon ang umaagaw sa supply ng ospital,” said PHA President Dr. Jaime Almora.
Visit our Facebook page for more news updates.