Sellers of face shields were told by Cagayan de Oro City Hall and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Monday morning (Aug. 17) to price their products within the P26 to P55 price range so more people can buy them.

“Based on DTI guidelines, the retail prices of face shields should be between P26 to P55, including a small profit for sellers. The face shields need not be medical grade quality, but the materials used should be sturdy, easily cleaned and fit for community use,” DTI Provincial Director Almer Masillones said during Monday noon´s press briefing.

While Masillones said the public is also encouraged to make do-it-yourself (DIY) face shields so long as they adequately cover the face, Atty. Jose Edgardo Uy said City Hall through the City Price Coordinating Council together with the DTI and other stakeholders will monitor sellers of face shields to prevent overpricing of their products.

´We will hold a meeting on Wednesday (Aug. 19) with the stakeholders for this purpose. While we don´t begrudge sellers from earning income, they should not exploit the situation to overprice their face shields and they should make sure their face shields meet minimum health standards,´ said Uy, co-chairman of the City Price Coordinating Council.

The City Health Insurance (CHIO) and other City Hall departments are kept busy the past few days in mass producing face shields for the public. The date and mode of distribution had yet to be disclosed as of this writing. The government mandated the use of face shields for those riding public transport since Aug. 15.