Disasters & carpetbaggers

Terrorism, earthquake, civil war and political instability are just among the current calamities/crisis the world is in. While unaffected countries may just have to sympathize on their (affected countries) fate, we, as a nation, just couldn’t.

For one, we are directly crushed by some of these tragedies. Secondly, as the world’s second largest exporter of labor, we all know that somehow our countrymen, more likely, are in the other countries also affected by these crises.

However, it isn't at all bad for these maladies we are directly in right now. As we start rebuilding, we shall see a lot of opportunities we've never seen in normal times. For instance, amid heaps of debris, clearing operations present countless of chances even to those lacking in skills or inadequately educated. 

Home repairs provide great prospects to our carpenters who, for decades, have been begging for jobs. Construction workers will be in demand as the government speeds up the restoration of school buildings as well as stretches of roads and bridges. Then, expect a surge in demand for construction materials, medicines and death-related activities like funeral services. As demand increases the need for more workers follows. In all, these activities shall address employment concerns on the deprived sectors, and shall, somehow, contribute to the dreamed inclusive growth. 

Yet, while it is true that tragedies like these present decent opportunities to some, a handful of selfish individuals or carpetbaggers may also take advantage of them in a different way.  The words are calamity and lawless violence.  Such words alone can be used unethically.  These have been used before and the possibility that these shall be used constantly are big possibilities.

For one, when an area is in a state of calamity or lawless violence, the Department of Trade and Industry automatically imposes price freezes of all basic commodities. This would simply mean that basic commodities (such as, rice, corn; cooking oil; fresh, dried and canned fish and any marine produce; eggs; fresh pork, beef and poultry; fresh and processed milk; vegetables; root crops; sugar; coffee; laundry soap; detergent; candles; bread; salt; firewood and charcoal; as well as medicines and drugs classified essential as per the Department of Health) must remain at their prevailing prices prior to the declaration and is to remain up to a maximum of 60 days in accordance with Republic Act No. 7581.  Yet, as we all know, this provision is constantly violated.  Some businessmen are unethically hoarding these price controlled items within the 60-day freeze.

Secondly, such state of calamity can also be used by these carpetbaggers unethically.  Undeniably, it has been used before and the possibility that it shall be used again presents itself.  Truth to tell, as clear as daylight, we are witnesses as to how the sale of “ukay-ukay” (used clothing) proliferated in both the metropolis and the countryside.  Done in broad daylight, it is seemingly enjoying a reasonable amount of legitimacy. 

Though it appeared legitimate, importation of used clothing is illegal by virtue of Republic Act No. 4653, “an act to safeguard the health of the people and maintain the dignity of the nation by declaring it a national policy to prohibit the commercial importation of textile articles commonly known as used clothing or rags.” 

Surprisingly, despite its seeming abundance, we haven’t heard of anyone fined or, worst, imprisoned. By its (ukay-ukay) sheer volume, it is unthinkable that these will go through the piercing eyes of the men and women of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) unnoticed. Unless one shall opt to go blind, the much ballyhooed state-of-the-art X-ray machines positioned at the international ports could have easily detected them too. 

Unfortunately, however, Republic Act No. 1937 (in particular, Sec. 105 paragraph v.), allows importation of these stuffs for relief work or for non-for-profit relief organizations.  Thus, through this small window (such as the situation we are in right now) of opportunity, some “ukay-ukay” importations have been made legal.  Suspiciously, however, through devious means, it went to the mainstream not to the intended beneficiaries like the earthquake victims in Leyte and the victims of the Marawi City incident. Thus, the used clothing business flourished.  

However, before the euphoria each time we rake in heaps of ukay-ukay at dole-out prices subsides, let us revisit our garment manufacturers, especially the home-based ones. These manufacturers are situated in the countryside and are helping propel the growth of their local economies.  Not only that, they are also helping prevent rural exodus.

Indeed, let’s be serious in running after violators of the price ceilings set in a state of calamity or lawless violence through fines and imprisonment.  More importantly, we must not allow these calamities to be used indiscriminately to regularize importations of contraband items like “ukay-ukay”.  Straightforwardly, we must eliminate such illegal practices rather than be content of dancing with these carpetbaggers.