Shopping mall branch reopens in Tacloban

TACLOBAN CITY—In what could be considered a sign of normalcy in this typhoon-ravaged city, the branch of one of the biggest shopping malls in the country has reopened for business, although on limited operations only.

Robinsons Place Tacloban, one of the commercial establishments heavily looted the day after Supertyphoon “Yolanda” occurred, has reopened for business.

“This is our way of showing love to the Taclobanons who patronize Robinsons and, at the same time, helping them during this time of calamity, as we offer our items at regular prices,” said Sweet de Paz, shopping mall operations manager on Thursday.

The prices of goods sold in the public market and in grocery stores in Tacloban City have skyrocketed after Yolanda devastated the city. A 10-milliliter bottled water that cost only P15 are being sold at P30 to P50 while the price of a 1.5-ml soft drink that used to cost P40 has increased to P100. A bath soap that usually sells at P20 is now priced at P50 to P60.

At Robinsons, the prices of goods and commodities will stay at the pretyphoon levels but its business operations will be limited, since the mall opens at 8 a.m. and closes at 3 p.m., said De Paz.

She also said only their affiliate stores had opened at the mall, namely, the department store, supermarket, Handyman and Toy “R” Us.

During its reopening on Thursday, hundreds of people lined up to enter the shopping mall, as only 100 people were allowed to enter the mall every 30 minutes.

“There is nothing much to see inside. That is why we have decided to limit the number of people,” de Paz said.

Carmen Ditchon, 46, said she went to the shopping mall as early as 7 a.m., hoping to get inside early and return home immediately.

“I was surprised that so many people were trying to get inside the mall. But I am happy that they decided to reopen again,” she said.

Aside from the regular security guards, the management had also sought police assistance. Over 10 policemen were assigned to the mall during the opening to ensure the security of the people and the mall itself.

De Paz, however, declined to comment on the looting incident that took place inside their shopping mall after Yolanda.

She also disclosed that Robinsons Place in Tacloban City would fully operate only in April next year after all the repairs of the mall are completed. The mall’s main roofing system as well as the glass and display walls on its second floor were damaged during the typhoon.

The other malls in the city, such as Gaisano Capital Tacloban and Gaisano Central that were also among those heavily looted, have yet to announce when they will reopen.