By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
Manufacturing of medical oxygen is now the top priority of the Central Gas Corporation (CEGASCO) in Bacolod City due to its higher demand brought by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
In a radio interview with RMN DYHB-Bacolod yesterday morning, CEGASCO Supervisor Rolando Pontino denied that they were hoarding oxygen supplies.
According to Pontino, a lot of customers are now approaching them directly in order to buy their oxygen tanks, which would then be delivered to the patient’s clinic or house.
He also explained that they are also supplying oxygen tanks to several hospitals operating in the city.
Earlier, Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia met with a local oxygen producer and distributor in the city to address the supply shortage for treatment of COVID-19 patients.
Hospitals in Bacolod City have also sought the assistance of the Emergency Operations Center–Task Force to resolve the oxygen supply shortage.
The Sangguniang Panlungsod has also passed a resolution urging the Department of Trade and Industry in Bacolod City to strictly and closely monitor the sale, purchase and disposal of medical oxygen gases at certain retail and, or wholesale stores in the city, amid reports of oxygen hoarding./DGB, WDJ