Monday, June 23, 2008 Arroyo orders crackdown on profiteers in Frank wake
PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ordered on Saturday a crackdown on profiteers and hoarders of basic commodities, especially rice, in areas hit hard by typhoon "Frank" (Fengshen).
In a departure statement Saturday evening, Arroyo said she gave the order after meeting with the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) earlier in the day.
"(Agriculture Secretary) Arthur Yap has been ordered to ensure stable rice supply in affected areas. If "Frank" will bring flood, Arthur will respond by flooding these areas with rice. If they will exploit the situation, hoarders will soon find themselves in hot water, a certainty (Justice Secretary) Raul Gonzalez will guarantee," she said.
She also ordered the prioritization of typhoon-hit areas in the distribution of P500 one-shot power subsidies, but said this should not overburden officials involved in relief work.
During the NDCC meeting, Arroyo ordered the national defense and local government departments to go on relief-and-rescue standby mode.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) was ordered to go into repair-and-rehabilitation footing so that work on damaged infrastructure can begin once the weather clears up.
On the other hand, the health and social welfare departments were ordered to forward-deploy resources to areas on typhoon path.
"By law, calamity funds have been advanced to DND (Department of National Defense), DPWH and DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development), which means the tools to provide care and comfort have been pre-positioned in our first responders," the President said.
She also ordered the Philippine Air Force (PAF), including the Presidential Airlift Wing, "to fly mercy missions when the need arises."
The pink brigade of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) was ordered to rush to areas that might be damaged by the storm.
"Army engineers, with their heavy equipment, will roll out and join the 'bayanis' (heroes) of Bayani Fernando in their mercy caravan," Arroyo said.
She designated the Villamor Air Base as an operations center after she inspected the aircraft and airmen on standby there.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) also mobilized last Saturday night the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) to go after profiteers and hoarders in the wake of the typhoon.
PNP Chief Avelino Razon Jr. said the Special Action Force (SAF) and Maritime Group are on standby alert status for possible assistance in disaster relief operations.
In a statement on the Office of the Press Secretary website (www.news.ops.gov.ph), Razon said he instructed the CIDG to "monitor market activities" in coordination with the Trade department and local government units (LGUs).
He said the monitoring aims to "prevent unscrupulous traders, hoarders and profiteers from taking advantage of the emergency situation."
On the other hand, Razon said SAF and Maritime Group which have units specialize in disaster operations are on standby alert for possible deployment to affected areas. (JMR/Sunnex)
