Interesting Times With President Aquino

Chaff from the Grain By FORMER PRESS SECRETARY HECTOR R.R. VILLANUEVA

August 6, 2012

 

“There is only one step from the sublime to the ridiculous.”
— Napoleon Bonaparte

PRESIDENT Benigno Simeon Aquino III, like a man possessed, promises exciting times and more fun for his “bosses,” the masses, except those caught in the crosshair of his ire.

As John Steinbeck, in his best-selling novel “The Grapes of Wrath” on the tragic hardships of the Great Depression of the nineteen-thirties, had written, “A man got to do what he got to do.” Thus, President Benigno Aquino, in his zeal to pursue his straight-path mantra, seems bent not only on upsetting traditional institutions and norms but also on upending the etiquette of good manners and right conduct.

When President Aquino deliberately snubbed and ignored the sitting Chief Justice at his inauguration, and successfully engineered the impeachment and ouster of the same Chief Justice, and short-circuited the detention and incarceration of former President Gloria Arroyo, it was a classic example of the arrogant exercise of power.

In the process, the President is not only revising the political rules of engagement, to the chagrin of many politicians, but is also beginning to reveal an authoritarian streak, inherited from his “cacique” upbringing, which must have been repressed or dormant during his unremarkable and forgettable years in the House of Representatives and the Philippines Senate.

Be that as it may, the Philippines for the first time ever, has a maverick leader who not only appears disinterested in serving beyond 2016 but is also revealing previously undetected personality traits. He is obdurate, unafraid, unimpressed, and unintimidated by money, political dynasties, Big Business, taipans, power brokers, rebels, or trapo politicians.

In fact, President Benigno Aquino III appears diffident and does not seem to care, or give a hoot, towards any of these pressure groups as he focuses mainly on his perceived political enemies, detractors, and critics from the previous administration.

On the contrary, it is the traditional pressure groups, whether tycoons, political dynasts, senators, congressmen, justices, judges, parvenus, has-beens, and religious sects that appear intimidated by President Aquino’s penchant for rudeness and ruthlessness. Most have opted for prudence and a wait-and-see attitude.

Thus far, whatever President Aquino wants, Mr. Aquino gets, by whatever means that will justify the ends,  which is highly alarming.

In brief, any business conglomerate bigwig with vast holdings to conserve, or political dynasties with constituencies to protect, will not dare tangle with, or cross swords with President Aquino at this time.
While these novel and refreshing developments are revitalizing the nation which should result in less corruption and better governance, the propensity of President Aquino to use and mobilize the entire resources of the government to persecute his political foes regardless of the means and the rule of law, is symptomatic of autocratic tendencies that will put freedom at risk.

On the other hand, the masses do not care one way or the other, provided there is food on the table, regardless of the political system in place, or, to paraphrase again a dictum of President John F. Kennedy, “A free society that cannot help the many who are poor will not be able to save the few who are rich.”
When all is said and done, these are exciting times that bear close watching as President Benigno Aquino thrashes and slashes away at the weeds of corruption and at his political foes that can lead to abuse of power and loss of liberty.

There is method in his madness.

You be the judge.

For latest update on real estate development and its RA 9646, the Real Estate Service Act of 2009, visit www.ra9646.com.

The Building By The River

Lobby of the Post Office

Manila Bulletin - Earlier this year, the Manila Central Post Office was in the news.  A leading hotel chain was reportedly interested in leasing the structure to convert it into a hotel. First, it was all rumors and names of various hoteliers cropped up. But it was not too long ago, and perhaps after a few pundits have guessed correctly, that it was the group behind Fullerton Hotel. It was not too hard to guess, for Fullerton in Singapore is housed in a former Post Office building.

If an international hotel brand was interested in the Manila Post Office, I suddenly became curious about the building. I remember when I was in college, going home from school, I take the LRT daily at around 5 p.m. After Central Station, the train goes to Carriedo. In that short span of time and length between two stations and the Pasig River, the view becomes majestic: The Manila Central Post Office suddenly breaks the concrete gray landscape bringing a golden glow to the panoramic windows of the train. I don’t know if it has something to do with sunsets but the Post Office stood majestically along the Pasig River, as if it is new.  It is a view I love, and anticipate every time I pass by.

So one afternoon, I met with PhilPost Postmaster General Josie dela Cruz, who was former Governor of Bulacan.

“Actually, there are various reports about the conversion of the Post Office building into a hotel. However, these are all speculations as Malacañang, that is President Aquino who formed a Task Force, who has the final say on how this building will be utilized in the future,” said Ms. Dela Cruz. “It will take a lot of consideration but the utmost priority is that the structure should be preserved as this is a heritage building. To be clear about it, the building would not be demolished.”

A heritage building, the Manila Post Office is not a posh destination. If you are expecting chandeliers, carpeted marble floors, or an airconditioned lobby, better head to the Manila Hotel. But if you want to see architecture, read history, or feel the grandness of a Neo-Classical building, then a visit to this part of Manila is a must.

The first time I stepped inside, what really impressed me was the high ceiling. It was a hot afternoon yet a soft breeze circulated in the air. Even though age and tear seemed to appear in some cracks in the walls or floors, the overall feeling of grandness and strength was there.  I can only assume that it is the vision of noted Architect Juan M. Arellano, who was trained in the U.S. in 1927 and influenced by the Art Deco movement of that era.

The building was finished in 1931, destroyed during the WW2, and reconstructed again in the late 40’s.  It has a rectangular shape with two semi-circular drums on each end and has an atrium in the middle that provides natural ventilation and light.

The “American” style of the Post Office Building can be seen as you walk pass the mighty columns. Looking up, it soars above and carries a majestic roof. Anyone who will pass by these columns would feel important—perhaps also underscoring the importance of communications through letters and the urgency of hearing from someone so far away.

“The PhilPost is very privileged to be housed in such a storied structure. However, with the changing times and streamlining of our operations, PhilPost can function efficiently even with half of the space provided to us by the present building,” said Ms. Dela Cruz.

She added that the upkeep of the structure and the utilities cost are very enormous that’s why it was recommended that the Manila Post Office Building be leased out to a company or another government agency who can better utilize its five floors.

As of press time, PhilPost is still waiting for Malacañang’s directive, yet for the meantime, Ma’am Josie has already pushed the agency forward by introducing new reforms and making the postal system work efficiently once again, even amidst modern technology.  But for the rest of us, whether we are architecture, history, or stamp enthusiasts, the Manila Post Office reminds us of a time when there were grand things in plan for Manila.

Whatever the future may bring, the building will hopefully stand as a gleaming beacon for generations of Filipinos to appreciate, from sunrise to sunset.

For latest update on real estate development and its RA 9646, the Real Estate Service Act of 2009, visit www.ra9646.com.

The alternative workplace

Philippine Daily Inquirer - The rising cost of prime property, an unpredictable world economy and the need to improve profit margins within a global market of constantly changing technology have driven businesses to rethink the way they configure their office spaces. Enter the Alternative Workplace Strategies.

Alternative Workplace Strategies is the term coined to define the combination of nontraditional work practices, environments and schedules that supplement or replace the workings of a traditional office work environment. It breaks the seemingly invincible bond between workplace and work performance.

While the conventional model of having the worker present in his workplace is a big factor in the measure of his performance, AWS goes beyond this traditional concept and allows for alternative arrangements and performance metrics, enabling companies to churn out as much productivity from their staff despite their “absence.”

More popular models

With this system, there is an opportunity to reorganize workspace configurations better, utilizing lesser square footage of expensive corporate real estate. Of the various models for AWS, the more popular ones are:

• “Flex-work” arrangements, or “Flexi-time” as locally known, which allows employees to choose the time they will report to work;

• “BYOG,” or “bring your own gadget,” wherein the employees make use of their personal computing equipment for work—giving them more freedom as to where to take their work, and reducing the employer’s concerns on equipment safekeeping, software costs and gadget upgrades;

• “Hoteling or “Hot desking,” where nondedicated and nonpermanent workstations are “booked” on a first-come, first-serve basis;/

• “Free address,” where workers or teams sort out their table assignments or workstations on the workday itself;

• “Desk sharing,” where two or more employees share a table or workstation based on an agreed schedule of use; and,

• “Work from home” programs, wherein employees do just that, and come to the office periodically, for reporting, meetings and other collaborations.

While AWS can drive significant costs out of a business through space reduction, it can also affect the level of productivity, especially when new policies are in and the workforce is still adapting to its unconventional work environment—or seeming lack of it. Aside from HR-related issues and policies that may arise from AWS, a critical factor in the success of the model is the planning of the workplace itself.

Since AWS promotes largely a remote, free-style employee lifestyle, a workplace for AWS must then be able to support activities that enhance the presence of the work team. In effect, it  must encourage a very active environment that fosters discussions, collaborative activities and the sharing of information.

Bring the best out of workforce

As the office space itself has become less necessary, the configuration and aesthetics become even more essential in luring people in and making the work environment still well worth going to. Until such time that businesses can exist without collaboration, office spaces will exist to bring the best out of the workforce.

One person may generate a great idea alone, but it takes highly collaborative, work-life balanced and globally aware teams to make an idea tangible.  So while new AWS concepts may still develop into fresher models with a growing mobile workforce, the inspiring and collaborative office environment will have to forever be there.

Contact the author through designdimensions@abi.ph or through our Asuncion Berenguer Facebook account.

For latest update on real estate development and its RA 9646, the Real Estate Service Act of 2009, visit www.ra9646.com.

VP Binay taps LGUs in campaign against squatting syndicates, professional squatters

Daily Tribune - Vice President Jejomar Binay has tapped local government units in the drive against squatting syndicates and professional squatters, saying the active participation of LGUs is crucial in the national government’s anti-squatting campaign.

“It is the LGUs that can immediately identify and stop these criminal elements at the first sign of illegal activity,” he said.

To encourage LGUs to participate, Binay, the chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), launched the National Drive Against Professional Squatters and Squatting Syndicates’ (NDAPSSS) Best Practices Award for 2012.

The NDAPSSS, established under Executive Order 153 series of 2002, is an inter-agency task force composed of 11 national government agencies with HUDCC as the lead agency. The contest is open to LGUs with existing departments/groups tasked to address the housing concerns of their localities.

The housing czar said  since its establishment, NDAPSSS has been engaged in capacity-building programs that aim to increase awareness of LGUs and government housing project beneficiaries on their role in combating squatting syndicates and professional squatters.

“We conduct seminar-trainings and community dialogs that help the participants detect the modus operandi of squatting syndicates and their cohorts, including detection of fake and spurious land titles,” he said.
The Vice President added winners of the contest will receive plaques and cash awards that may be used to strengthen their programs on anti-squatting.

“For details of the contest mechanics and for more information, interested participants may contact the HUDCC Legal Services Group/ Anti-squatting Group at telephone numbers (02)812-0735 and (02)817-6995 or you may visit their office on 9th and 15th floors, BDO Plaza, Paseo de Roxas corner Makati Avenue, Makati City,” he said.

For latest update on real estate development and its RA 9646, the Real Estate Service Act of 2009, visit www.ra9646.com.

Tourism department says visitor arrivals on track to target

Businessworld - VISITOR ARRIVALS in the country grew by more than a tenth in the first half, putting the full-year target within reach, the Tourism department said in a statement on Friday.

Specifically, the number of foreign visitors rose 11.68% to 2.145 million in the first half from 1.919 million the previous year.


The department attributed the increase to promotion campaigns abroad, including through the Internationale Tourismus Borse travel fair in Germany, the Memphis in May International Festival, the Arabian Travel Market in May, the Yeosu Expo 2012 in South Korea, a business mission to Japan, as well as the use of mobile ads on double-decker buses, taxicabs, and underground rail stations in the United Kingdom in the run up to the London 2012 Olympics.


The same statement quoted Tourism Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez, Jr. as saying “current policy reforms to facilitate entry; infrastructure development to improve travel within the country; fresh investments to expand transportation, accommodation, and recreation facilities; and product enhancement...will help realize our year-end target of 4.6 million visitors.”


South Koreans continued to top arrivals with 474,685 visitors or 22.13% of the total, up 10.5% annually; followed by US visitors who increased 4.8% to 354,259 or 16.52% of the total; and Japanese, up 7.79% to 195,504 or 9.11% of the total.


Curiously, while travel agencies had warned of signs Beijing was dissuading its nationals from visiting the Philippines amid the territorial spat in the South China Sea that began in April, the Tourism department noted that China and Taiwan posted the highest growth rates of 42.99% and 34.47%, respectively, to 150,749 and 114,269.


Other major sources of visitors were: Australia with 92,648 arrivals, up 11.95%; Singapore with 73,015 (10.36%); Canada, 65,503 (7.12%); Hong Kong, 57,790 (2.36%); United Kingdom, 57,181 (11.30%); Malaysia, 49,788 (11.96%); and Germany with 34,189 (12061%).

Overseas Filipinos accounted for 5.16% of total visitors with 110,703 arrivals, reflecting 4.46% growth.

For latest update on real estate development and its RA 9646, the Real Estate Service Act of 2009, visit www.ra9646.com.

Only five regions grew faster in 2011, gov’t data show

Businessworld - FIVE out of 17 regions posted faster economic growth in 2011, with the Caraga region recording the highest growth rate, data released by the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) showed.

Caraga, which is composed of the Agusan and Surigao provinces and Dinagat Islands, grew by 9.6% in 2011, faster than 2010’s 7.4%, based on gross regional domestic product (GRDP).

“Cagayan Valley posted the biggest jump in growth with 6.5 percentage points as its economy bounced back from a decline of 1.1% in 2010 to a growth of 5.4% in 2011. Other regions which experienced accelerated growths were: Caraga, [from] 7.4% to 9.6%; Soccsksargen, [from] 2.0% to 4.0%; Western Visayas, [from] 3.7%to 5.5%; and, MIMAROPA, [from] 1.1% to 2.5%,” the NSCB reported.

The fastest growth rates were also recorded in Central Visayas which had 7.9% growth, Central Luzon, 7.5%; Western Visayas, 5.5%; and Cagayan Valley, 5.4%.

The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) was the only region that saw its economy shrink. It declined by 1% percent in 2011, reversing the growth of 2.3% the previous year.

Calabarzon shaved 8.5 percentage points off its growth at 2.6% in 2011, while Central Visayas cut its pace by 4.6 percentage points from 12.5% in 2010. “The other regions that posted the biggest deceleration were Zamboanga Peninsula, 0.1% from 3.6%; Eastern Visayas, 1.8% from 2.0%; Cordillera Administrative Region, 2.1% from 6.3%; and, Northern Mindanao, 2.5% from 6.9%,” the NSCB said.

Metro Manila continued to account for the biggest chunk of the Philippine economy, at 35.7% of the total. Calabarzon had a share of 17.4% while Central Luzon had 9.3%. ARMM had the lowest share, at 0.8%.

The Philippine economy grew by 3.9% in 2011. Metro Manila’s growth was slower at 3.5%. At current prices, Metro Manila’s economy was valued at P3.5 trillion. The country’s GDP hit P9.7 trillion at current prices last year. 

For latest update on real estate development and its RA 9646, the Real Estate Service Act of 2009, visit www.ra9646.com.

Philippines could be 'next rising star'

Businessworld - THE PHILIPPINES could be the “world’s next rising star” because it is relatively insulated from the turbulent global environment, economists said on Friday, but the country’s ascent will depend on finding solutions to key constraints.


“When you look for countries that could be the world’s next rising star, you look for increasing growth, a stable fiscal deficit, strong English skills and a belief in education,” said Tyler Cowen, an economist at George Mason University, at the inaugural conference of the Angara Centre for Law and Economics.


“The Philippines has all of those things. It has the best chance,” he added.


Exposure to Europe’s ongoing debt woes and the slowdown in China is limited, Mr. Cowen explained as he lumped the Philippines along with Indonesia, Ghana and Nigeria as among the countries expected to be resilient amid the global downturn.


Mr. Cowen stressed, though, that this was not an “absolute prediction,” with much depending on how the government makes the most its opportunities.


“The discussions must begin with structural transformation,” added John Nye, a fellow economist at George Mason University.


One of the main issues that needs to be resolved is how to move people from poor agriculture jobs to better-paying ones in industry, Mr. Nye said, adding that more often than not, this also involves physically moving people to the urban centers.


“However, there are so many laws that make this difficult -- laws on zoning, taxation, competition, labor, trade. This network of policies adds up,” Mr. he said. No single law -- not even the often-blamed foreign ownership limits in the 1987 Philippine Constitution -- is to blame, he added.


Changes must be made to these “redundant,” “misguided” and “contradictory” laws so that more businesses and investments can come into the Philippines and generate much-needed employment.


“The fact that we have so many overseas Filipino workers only means that we have a lot of highly-skilled people willing to work. Why are they so employable abroad but not here? Clearly, there are obstacles to creating employment,” Mr. Nye said.


University of the Philippines economist and Monetary Board member Felipe M. Medalla, meanwhile, tagged infrastructure as another constraint to the Philippine economy.


He lamented the sluggish pace of domestic infrastructure development, pointing to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 (NAIA 3), which “can’t even be fully operational after three presidents”.


“The connector road between the North Luzon Expressway and the South Luzon Expressway can increase development and bring it to the provinces without congesting Manila,” Mr. Medalla noted.


For his part, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan claimed the government was already eyeing several “low-hanging fruits,” among them the computerization of government processes.


“I find it surprising that any entrepreneur who wants to set up a business has to show up at the Department of Trade and Industry and apply for his permits there,” Mr. Balisacan said.


“This exposes entrepreneurs to direct contact with the bureaucracy and encourages patronage and corruption. If the procedures were online, it would be much more simple, quick and transparent for everyone.”


Another is the integration of terminal fees to the price of airplane tickets, a policy move due to take effect this month.


“We are the only country in Asia or even the world that collects a separate fee when it can just be billed directly. These small inconveniences increase the cost of doing business,” he noted.


Mr. Balisacan recognized that the government’s infrastructure program had taken some time to get off the ground, but he explained that this was due to the “utmost care” that goes into reviewing contracts.


“There is a trade-off: the projects could be fast now but they could get bogged down in the future. We don’t want another Northrail mess or another Piatco (Philippine International Air Terminals Co., Inc.) mess,” he said.


The 80-kilometer Northrail project that will link the northern part of Metro Manila with the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Clark, Pampanga, was suspended in March 2010 pending the review of the contract with China National Machinery Industry Corp.


The Commission on Audit has estimated that delays in the project works cost the government P2.21 billion last year from penalties and interest charges.


The Piatco controversy, meanwhile, stems from the government’s decision to scrap the firm’s contract to build NAIA-3 due to alleged irregularities. Lawsuits filed over the government’s seizure of the facility and the compensation that needs to be paid to Piatco remain unresolved.

For latest update on real estate development and its RA 9646, the Real Estate Service Act of 2009, visit www.ra9646.com.