By Pat Jared V. Pangantihon
Correspondent
THE Province of Bukidnon is now beset with a growing need for medical oxygen, as local suppliers are unable to meet the demand. Efforts to have oxygen tanks refilled have reached neighboring province Misamis Oriental, but are only able to get them refilled after three to four days.
One Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Officer in Bukidnon, who requested anonymity, said that his office is constantly monitoring oxygen suppliers in the province for any available stock so that they can exchange at least one or two empty tanks for filled ones because the suppliers have to apportion existing stock equally to all municipalities.
He further disclosed that other MDRRMO officers are having the same problem.
In Malaybalay City, Ivan Labandero, the O2 Unit In-charge, said that they have low supply because the Pryce Gas plant in Tagoloan town in Misamis Oriental has had no available supply since last Tuesday, September 7.
They have managed to have their tanks refilled with a local supplier, but that supplier has to get new stocks from as far away as Davao City.
He added that they can still provide for patients, but it is difficult to get new stocks as oxygen suppliers will not swap tanks that are from different companies.
