SIGN OF THE TIMES. Workers rolls down a tarpaulin billboard along A. Soriano Street in barangay Mabolo, Cebu City as outdoor advertising agencies take precautionary against storm Ruby (International name: Hagupit). CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA
TELCOS and power service providers have placed their repair and response crews on standby.
Outdoor advertising companies have taken down their billboards as businesses in Cebu prepare for a stormy weekend with typhoon Ruby.
There were no signs of panic buying in major supermarkets as the the regional office of the trade department sternly warned retailers not to take advantage of the calamity by raising prices of goods.
Globe Telecom corporate communications head Yoly Crisanto said their service crew are ready to respond to any emergencies.
This is part of their standard process in Globe’s business continuity management system, she said.
The Visayas Electric Co. (Veco) activated its auxiliary call center in anticipation of an increase in calls for assistance.
Extra call takers will answer the expected influx of calls on a 24 hour basis. Calls may overflow to our call center in Davao, infrastructure, said reputation management manager Maria Theresa Sederiosa.
Veco’s emergency crew will be reinforced by crews from its sister companies in Davao, Cotabato and Subic.
Veco also started trimming trees to prevent branches from getting snagged in power lines.
Outdoor Advertising Association of the Philippines (OAAP) Cebu chapter president Mary Ann Alcordo-Solomon said their 15 members started taking down their tarpaulins on Tuesday.
“We will continue doing so. We are also monitoring those that don’t belong to any of us, some might be illegally put up,” she said.
There are over 150 billboards put up by OAAP all over Cebu.
Asteria Caberte, Department of Trade and Industry regional director, said retailers caught overpricing or hoarding goods face penalties.
“For illegal acts of price manipulation, sanctions include imprisonment of five to 15 years and a fine of P5,000 to P2 million. For violation of the price ceiling, its imprisonment of one to 10 years or a fine of P5,000 to P1 million,” she said.
DTI provincial director Nelia Navarro said price monitoring started on Monday. ‘Consumers should not panic buy because there is enough supply,” she said.