By Laura Rosabelle Balingit, Grade 8

Recent events have caused a sudden increase in the demand for face masks around the world! This was brought about by health concerning issues such as the Taal volcanic eruption and, most especially, the nCoV.

Mount Taal started showing relevant volcanic movements last January 12 of this year. This eventually led to ash fall not only affecting Batangas residents, where the volcano is located, but also nearby provinces and cities. The ash fall included areas such as Tagaytay, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, and even some areas in Manila. By this, the demand for n95 masks suddenly spiked, while others resorted to the regular surgical masks when the purchase of n95 got even more expensive. Other than the price to consider, n95 availability also became a problem.

Not long after, the spread of a new virus, the nCoV or Novel Coronavirus, reached the news faster than the already fast spread from Wuhan, China. This caused another surge in the demand for regular surgical masks. This was despite DOH (Department of Health) recommendation that “there is still no need to use face masks in the Philippines as protection unless for those who are sick to help contain the spread of infectious diseases.”

Of course, this sudden increase in demand caused an equally sudden price surge.

Double the Price or More

Regular masks (surgical masks) used to generally cost Php2.50 per unit. Recently, however, this price increased by more than 2x, averaging at Php6.50 per mask. Vendors sell boxes of 50s at 320 per box, some at even higher prices. (Data is based on price scout from multiple vendors and online sellers.)

This increase in the price of face masks is inappropriate.

It causes so much ripple effect. Those who are less fortunate, for instance, who couldn’t afford the masks, are placed on higher susceptibility because most of them live in underdeveloped areas, which are unsanitary. They are even put below the purchase pyramid. Persons who needed masks originally, such as those with respiratory problems, asthma, TB, and so on, also begin having difficulty getting masks that they originally needed regularly. These are just to name a few.

Some would say that this surge in price was brought about by suppliers and vendors taking advantage of the situation. Some suppliers say it’s the cost of shipping imported goods plus the additional capital they invest to get through the Bureau of Customs.

How Can We Help Lower the Price?

While it may or may not be true, this price increase trend, on the other hand, follows through the law of supply and demand. Whereas, “if supply decreases and demand remains unchanged, then it leads to higher price and lower quantity.”

Lessen the demand. Begin with your household.

As the DOH and even Antipolo City Government declared, if you don’t have a cough, colds, or any symptoms of nCoV, do not wear a mask. Not only will it waste masks supply, but it also deprives others who need it most.

Perhaps, we can also consider wearing washable fabric masks. That is if you have no cough, colds, or any symptoms of nCoV. This, in turn, still keeps you covered from persons who do not care enough to wear masks when they have a cough or colds.

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