ILOILO City – The recent confirmation of mpox cases in this city and Iloilo Province has triggered a surge in purchases of face masks and alcohol in downtown stores and pharmacies — even as the Department of Health (DOH) maintains that mask-wearing is not a primary preventive measure against the mpox virus.
Retailers interviewed in the City Proper report running out of stocks as consumers scramble to secure face masks and disinfectants, a response vendors say mirrors the early behavior seen at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
“People are clearly anxious. Some are buying in bulk — three boxes at a time or even two to five sacks,” said Suzette De la Cruz, a saleslady at a downtown store.
“Our warehouse stocks are nearly empty, and even our display shelves are constantly running out. Yes, people are scared,” she further said in Hiligaynon.
De la Cruz added that on average, they sell around a thousand face masks daily, with no increase in prices. Ordinary 3D face masks remain the most in-demand, priced at just P8 each, while other varieties go for P20 to P35 per pack.
Japs Galvez, a vendor from another store, echoed the observation. “Facemasks are really selling fast. Last week alone, we sold out three cartons — each carton contains 60 pieces. Every three days, we get another rush of customers. Some buy two packs of different types in a single day,” she said.
Galvez noted that the LVTA brand and basic 3D face masks remain top sellers at P25 per plastic.
“We’ve run out of stock. We ordered more from Manila, but they haven’t arrived yet,” she added.
Sheryl Mae Mangan, who runs a third store in the area, said they’ve seen such high wholesale demand that their store has increased prices.
“We sell up to five sacks per day. Other stores come here to buy in bulk for retailing. That’s why we raised the prices a bit,” she said. “As of now, we have nothing left. People are also buying lots of alcohol.”
A fourth store, managed by Ma. Normely Gardose, said they move hundreds of face masks per day, depending on demand, and have started offering buy-one-take-one promotions to attract customers. “Most of our buyers purchase by the pack,” Gardose shared.
Pharmacies are also reporting the same trend. One pharmacist, who requested anonymity, said, “We’re out of stock. Right after the mpox announcement, we sold out all our masks. Only individual pieces are left. Our alcohol supply is also low, and no new deliveries have arrived.”
Another pharmacy worker, who identified herself only as “Anne,” gestured to a nearly empty shelf and said, “Yes, people are really buying. That’s all we have left.”
Still, a few drugstores report having limited stocks. One pharmacist explained that demand persists regardless of health announcements because masks and alcohol are already part of people’s routines purchases since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Another store noted that while they still have inventory, customers tend to prefer retailers offering larger bundles or better deals.
Though official health advisories have not emphasized the use of face masks against mpox, the public response highlights the growing anxiety surrounding the disease—and a lingering instinct to fall back on pandemic-era protective habits./PN
