PITC however found that suppliers overseas also have limited stocks of the N88 surgical mask due to a global surge in demand.

The US, Pakistan, India and some European countries replied to PTIC&rsquo s inquiries that they have limited stocks. The replies of Thailand and Vietnam are being awaited.

In the meantime, Mr. Lopez said he spoke with the sole domestic mask producer MedTecs International Corp. Ltd., which committed to supply two million masks per month as needed.

MedTecs is supplying 100,000 masks this week, and 400,000 units in each succeeding week. Mr. Lopez said the masks will be sold to drugstores.

&ldquo While they produce at a limited capacity (80,000 pieces per day), MedTecs is now airfreighting more machines to increase their production capacity,&rdquo Mr. Lopez said.

He said the department is also looking to expand domestic production.

&ldquo We have also intensified engagements to match parties with core capabilities that can extend to production of masks &mdash including foreign companies in the country that have the technology, local companies that can readily provide factories and workers, and local producers in garments and sanitary paper or cotton-based products,&rdquo he said.