SUPPLY of surgical masks has become stable such that the Department of Trade and Industry is now studying lowering its suggested retail price (SRP) from the current P28 a piece.
DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez said retailers are now selling surgical or N88 masks in 10 pieces per pack from five per pack previously.
Lopez said a technical team is studying the costing of masks from suppliers abroad and local manufacturers.
Wearing masks outside has been mandated by the government.
Demand for masks is expected to rise even more as the lockdowns are eased.
But more supply of masks has also come in.
Taiwanese MedTecs has boosted its capacity in its facility in Bataan to 8 million pieces in April to 10 million
8mn pcs in April and 10mn pcs for each month of May, June and July
Yokoisada of Japan, based in Clark, is now selling 2 million pieces per month to the local market.
Lopez said the DTI is working with Yokoisada will increase to 5 million pieces.
EMS, a Filipino toll manufacturer of electronic products for big Japanese companies last May 15 started producing competitively-priced N88 masks at 10 million pieces a month.
P&G is also producing 1.5 million pieces per month but this is for internal use and donation to the Department of Health.
New Kinpo group, also a Taiwanes company, is looking into the manufacture of masks amounting to 2.5 million pieces by end May;
