Guam attorney general warns against price gouging
- Admin
- Apr 11
- 4 min read
Public agencies, private businesses issue advisories
By Pacific Island Times News Staff
Attorney General Douglas Moylan warned local businesses against exploiting Guam consumers by jacking up prices in anticipation of a typhoon, which weather specialists say may leave a devastating impact on island.
“No price gouging will be tolerated,” he said as Guam prepares for Tropical Storm Sinlaku, which is anticipated to hit the island between Monday and Tuesday.
“Price gouging is prohibited. Merchants and landlords may not increase prices due to anticipated shortages caused by a storm or typhoon. When a storm approaches Guam, our people prepare; they cannot be exploited.”
He reminded businesses that the law freezes prices during a disaster period.
“Businesses that try to raise prices during this emergency will face aggressive enforcement,” Moylan said. “Fuel companies and merchants are free to lower prices at any time, especially with the volatility from the Iran War. If costs drop, prices should drop. What the law prohibits is raising prices on families preparing for a typhoon.”
“We urge our businesses to act to help our community as good businesses do and as made up of residents themselves,” he said.
The Office of Attorney General will accept complaints against suspected price gouging on its website www.guamattorneygeneral.org.
GRMC suspends visitations and clinic operations
Guam Regional Medical City is temporarily suspending clinic operations, rehabilitation, and OR services, One Stop Laboratory and Radiology services, beginning Monday.
Visitation will also be temporarily suspended beginning Sunday at 9 p.m.
Only designated patient watchers/overnighters will be allowed to remain with patients.
Patients with affected appointments will be contacted directly by GRMC to assist with rescheduling and coordination of care. GRMC will continue to maintain essential hospital services, including 24/7 Emergency Room operations and inpatient care.
Patient watchers and overnight caregivers are advised to remain in the hospital for the duration of the storm once conditions worsen, as movement in and out of the facility may be restricted for safety reasons. GRMC encourages all watchers to prepare accordingly and coordinate with hospital staff for any necessary guidance.
GMH advisories for pregnant mothers
Upon declaration of COR 2, Guam Memorial Hospital will accept pregnant mothers who are 36 weeks or more and high-risk pregnant mothers who are 24 weeks or more.
GMH advises consulting your healthcare provider if unsure about your high-risk status. Upon arrival, expectant mothers must report to the Patient Registration office on the first floor. Expectant mothers will be housed in a designated area and will remain at GMH for the duration of the storm until the declaration of COR 4.
Expectant mothers are advised to bring: ID and insurance cards, necessary medications, clean pillows, blankets and linens, beddings, personal toiletries, a change of clothing, water and non-perishable snacks and personal entertainment items.
Escorts, support persons, children, or pets are not allowed, except for service animals.
Upon declaration of COR 2, visiting hours are suspended until further notice (except approved watchers)
Elective outpatient and clinical procedures are postponed
Family viewings are suspended until COR 4.
Patients with affected appointments will be contacted directly for rescheduling. GMHA will continue to maintain essential hospital services, including 24/7 Emergency Room operations and inpatient care.
GWA commences work to make water systems typhoon-ready
The Guam Waterworks Authority’s operations and maintenance personnel are completing water and wastewater system preparations in anticipation of Tropical Storm Sinlaku.
GWA’s storm mitigation efforts include:
Coordinating with the Guam Power Authority to ensure operability of standby generators, inclusive of topping off fuel levels for generators activated at deep wells, pump stations, water and wastewater treatment plants.
Making system adjustments to increase water reservoir supply levels.
Preparing water tankers and flexitankers for deployment and staging at the hospital and other critical areas that may be affected by low or no water pressure following the storm.
Performing additional maintenance on facility water tanks, booster tanks, drainage and gutters in anticipation of inflow and infiltration) caused by heavy rainfall from the storm event.
Coordinating with the Guam Department of Education to support storm shelters.
Securing deep well, booster pump and chlorination sites.
Coordinating with contractors to secure active GWA project construction sites.
Augmenting operations and maintenance personnel schedules to safely and adequately accommodate continuity of water and wastewater services
Operating GWA’s Upper Tumon Customer Service Center’s regular business hours, open on April 11 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
District Court to suspend operations
The District Court of Gyuan will be closed for business starting April 13 in preparation for Tropical Storm Sinlaku, which is predicted to develop into a Category 3 or 4 typhoon.
The court will reopen upon declaration of Condition Readiness 4.
All hearings will be rescheduled for regular business. Any court filings due while the court is closed will be deemed "timely filed" if turned in upon the court's reopening.
Bank closes
Community First Guam Federal Credit Union member service centers will be closed on Monday. ATMs located at member service centers will be secured as Guam approaches Condition of Readiness 1, or as weather intensifies.
"We will resume operations when conditions permit. Members can stay updated on our operational status by following local media outlets, visiting our website www.cfirstguam.com, or our social media pages," Community First said.
