Don’t take advantage of calamity, traders urged

Bishop Crispin Varquez. Photo from CBCP online

MANILA, Philippines—Bishop Crispin Varquez of Borongan, Samar, appealed to businessmen on Friday not to take advantage of the calamity caused by Typhoon “Ruby” (international name: Hagupit) by hiking prices of basic and essential goods.

“Do not take advantage of others at this time of calamity. You’re not the only ones who have the right to live,” Varquez said during a Mass in Borongan, according to a post on the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) website.

Sin against God

Varquez urged local traders not to think only of their “monetary gain” by maintaining the price movement at the normal range of inflation.

“In fact, it is a great sin against God and against love of your suffering brothers and sisters to use these trying times for your personal economic advantage,” he said.

Varquez made the appeal after panic-buying broke out on Thursday in the province and nearby areas expected to be hit by Ruby.

Public works safety

The diocese also opened the doors of its churches and seminary to thousands of residents who fled their homes in coastal communities.

Meanwhile, Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson urged all contractors handling projects in the typhoon’s path to observe safety measures.

Strict monitoring

“All building contractors are hereby directed to properly secure overhead cranes on top of buildings under construction and to provide safety [signs in] areas where there are potential risks of falling debris,” Singson said in a statement.

Singson also ordered building officials to strictly monitor the compliance of contractors with the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) occupational safety guidelines to ensure the protection and welfare of workers and the public in the immediate vicinity of any construction worksite.

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