No need to panic
CEBU CITY — The Region 7 of the Department of Trade & Industry, the Department of Health, and the Food & Drug Administration have come up with a joint statement assuring the public of adequate supply of oxygen tanks, mainly needed these time during the pandemic for CoViD patients.
DTI Regional Director Maria Elena Calumpang-Arbon, DOH Regional Director Dr. Jaime Bernadas, and FDA Regional field supervisor Rica Reina Aumentado in a statement dispelled doubts on the availability and sufficiency of medical grade oxygen in Cebu.
Their joint statement was issued after at least three Cebu-based manufacturers of medical grade oxygen assured that on average, they can produce about 600 to 800 cylinders of MGO per day, based on current cylinder holdings and labor force.
The three manufactures are Linde Philippines (South) Inc., MEPZ Mixed-Gases Corp., and Superior Gas & Equipment Co. of Cebu.
The manufacturers of medical grade oxygen also guaranteed they can increase their production capacity to 200 percent, in case there’s a surge in critical CoViD cases who will require the supply of medical oxygen.
In an earlier coordination meeting, FDA’s Aumentado disclosed there are eight companies in Region 7 registered with FDA as manufacturers of medical grade oxygen.
The number coincides with the data of DTI-7 that there are eight Product Standards-license holders — seven in Cebu and one in Bohol — that are into MGO production.
“No need to panic,” said RD Arbon of DTI.
She said there is more than enough oxygen supply as MGO producers maintain a range of four to 14 days inventory levels during normal times, not counting the unused capacity.
Arbon warned that if fear takes over our action, we would succumb to panic- buying. “The resultant effects would be artificial shortage and hoarding.”
Hoarding, under the RA 7581, otherwise known as the Price Act, as amended by RA 10623, is punishable with a penalty of imprisonment for a period of not less than five years nor more than 15 years, and a fine of not less than P5,000, nor more than P2 million.
Meanwhile, RD Bernadas of DOH cautioned the public on the “danger of home use of medical oxygen without supervision of doctors, and the hazards of [improper] storage” at home.
The DTI, DOH, and the FDA also committed to steadfastly monitor the movement of supply and the price of medical grade oxygen, and to go after those who take advantage of the pandemic.
For reports, you may reach DTI Cebu Consumer Protection division through their mobile hotline
0917-818-8419. (PR)
