The face shield price in Divisoria, Manila, has allegedly increased due to its high demand after the Department of Transportation (DOTr) recently announced its mandatory wear on public vehicles.
In a “Unang Balita” report, a salesman in Divisoria said that his supplier raised more than P10 per face shield.
The retail price of the face shield is P35 on Thursday, and it is expected to increase due to the continued inflation of demand.
According to some shoppers, it will be difficult for them to buy it because it is expensive. They said they would instead purchase rice than buy a face shield.
In other places in Manila, face shields range from P40 to P50 each.
One said the government should give free face shields because the poor could not afford them.
Department of Transportation (DOTr) said all passengers traveling through public transport are required to wear face shields starting August 15, 2020.
DOTr Undersecretary for Administrative Service Artemio Tuazon Jr., in a memorandum dated August 3, ordered all transportation sector officials to implement the policy in areas where public transport is permitted.
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The mandatory wearing of face shields is on top of other health protocols such as the wearing of face masks and observing physical distancing.
“As instructed by the Secretary, this is to mandate all officials/heads of various transportation sectors to enjoin within their respective jurisdictions the mandatory wearing of face shields (aside from face masks) for ALL passengers in areas where public transportation is allowed, effective on 15 August 2020,” the memorandum reads.
Wearing a face shield is also required during sea travel starting Friday, August 7.
Vice Admiral Narciso Vingson Jr., the assistant secretary for Maritime, directed the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina), Philippine Ports Authority, Cebu Port Authority, and the Philippine Coast Guard to implement the “No-Face-Shield, No-RIde” to implement the same policy.
“In this regard, all concerned are tasked to issue the necessary announcements to properly inform the riding public,” Vingson said in the memorandum.
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