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A glimmer of hope for the SK

After years in the legislative back-burner, there is a glimmer of hope for the reforms needed by the beleaguered Sangguniang Kabataan.

A number of youth leaders, including former SK members themselves, have been calling for the overhaul of the SK system, while battling the sentiment to just scrap the system altogether.

In the last month, leading up to a 2nd postponement of the SK elections, senators and congressmen finally agreed to move forward with the necessary reforms so that the SK assuming office next year will be unburdened with a flawed system and instead have the hope for success with much-needed reforms in place.

In the end, both houses decided to work together and simultaneously postpone the SK elections for 2016, while committing to passing the reforms asap.

This was the compromise made by the senators who were pushing for radical systemic reforms with the congressmen who leaned towards abolishing the youth representation mechanism.

Fulfilling its side of the bargain, the Senate passed the SK Reform Bill last February 9, with game-changing reforms that will surely rock the boat (if not eventually, the vote) in 2016.

The four main reforms are: 1) adjusting the age of the SK officers; 2) making leadership training mandatory; 3) inserting a broad and far-reaching anti-political dynasty provision; and 4) creating a Local Youth Development Council body to further support the SK as its advisory council.

The first reform is the most basic one, and seeks to correct a mistake that legislators made in 2002, when they brought the age of the SK down to 15-17 from 15-21.

With the reform bill, the age of SK officials will now be at 18-24 years old. This coincides with the usual age that current youth leaders are in. Because this new age range is within the legal age, the officials are now legally capable of entering into contracts, and consequently, can be held accountable and liable for their actions.

Another reform is mandating that the officials undergo leadership training programs to expose them of best practices in governance and to guide their development as leaders.

During a forum in the Far Eastern University (FEU), Kenneth, a former SK chairman from Batangas, expressed his approval and hope with these proposed changes. He mentioned running for SK chairman at the age of 16 and having no clue what to do once elected.

Attracting older, more responsible, and more experienced candidates and bolstering their skills with training are necessary reforms that will get universal support.

The third reform, though, may be contentious but can be a major game-changer. The Senate was bold enough to include an anti-dynasty provision in our SK Reform Bill.

In many cases, young members of political families feel pressured to run for office, whether or not they see themselves as qualified.

On the other hand, youth leaders that are motivated to serve the community are discouraged to run for office when their opponents are related to incumbents.

The current provision bars relatives within a second level of consanguinity to all elected and most appointed officials from sitting as SK officials.

In short, gone will be the days that the son or daughter of the barangay captain or even the mayor can vie for the SK post.

I am hoping that our counterparts in Congress can also support this major reform which, in my estimation, can truly overhaul the current system.

More effective body

The fourth major reform is not as sexy or controversial but is close to my heart. When I was in the National Youth Commission over a decade ago, the more successful youth structure on the ground was not the SK but the Local Youth Development Council (LYDC) that was established in some areas.

The LYDC served as the more active and effective body that helped the LGU with programs, projects and policies that were for the youth of the locality. It was composed of youth representatives from student councils, Church and faith-based groups, youth-serving organizations, and community-based youth groups.

The SK was part of this council that was a broad representation of youth leadership and development in the area.

The basic idea here was that if the SK officials were not isolated, and instead, dealt with other youth leaders, they would tend to be less traditional and instead be more rooted with their constituents.

In the current reform bill, LYDCs are mandated and will be formed to work hand in hand with the SK.

LYDCs can help fix the quality of SK programs and projects in their localities.

The National Youth Commission is tasked with making the Philippine Youth Development Plan which serves as an overall plan for the youth with respect to the executive branch of government. But because this is not cascaded properly through the appropriate channels, it often remains as a wonderful policy paper that is not made tangible on the ground.

With the LYDC structure though, the NYC now has a mechanism to ensure that its national plans have a way to cascade, be localized and reach more young Filipinos through actual programs and projects on the ground.

Pasay, Naga, Cebu and Cagayan de Oro, among others, have already adopted the LYDC model.

These reforms will hopefully move the SK toward a merit system that values competency and away from patronage politics. We hope that these changes can bury ineffective practices and give rise to a tangible and measurable impact for the youth sector.

We are hopeful that this can be the beginning of a renewed Sangguniang Kabataan that reignites true community service, volunteerism, passion, and excellence within the Philippine government.

The Youth Development and Empowerment Act or Senate Bill 2401, with the reforms stated above, was passed on its third and final reading in the Senate.

Congress will release their committee report within two weeks. With even more young people backing these reforms, I am hopeful that we can finally pass the SK reform bill before the end of March.

 

First Published on Rappler.com

Scaling up support

In 2007, I co-founded the Hapinoy program with the goal of helping women micro-entrepreneurs in the Philippine countryside by creating a solid business network through their sari-sari stores, providing them rigorous training and mentorship, and giving them access to financing, markets, and more business, opportunities.

My experience working with them has deeply shaped my principles on poverty alleviation, inclusive growth through business and empowerment through enterprise.

Our nanays were asked to invest time and energy developing their entrepreneurial and financial management skills to be well equipped to seize the opportunities available to them.

Being a witness to their dedication to uplift their lives and of their family members’ as well, I have deep respect and hope for the micro-entrepreneurs in our country.

Watching them make the most out of their new-found knowledge and business network to expand their stores and sales, I was sold to the belief that if we are able to provide the right opportunities and give them the right break, they would do everything with that opportunity to succeed.

I have seen how our fellow Filipinos with humble backgrounds transformed themselves to astute entrepreneurs with the right support mechanisms in place.

Take the example of Nanay Lani Rebong from Laguna. She started with a table and 3,000 to 5,000 pesos worth of diaper supplies and the will to grow her business to make a better life for her two children.

Since joining the program in 2009 and undergoing business training, she has had three expansions and renovations.

She was given the opportunity to run a mobile money business and now offers money remittance and airtime loading – services that attract regular customers and provide more capital for her store.

From a store-front sari-sari operation, she was able to convert the entire first floor of her home to cater to her growing enterprise. Her store has grown to supply other smaller ones in her area.

She was able to buy a house and lot, a motorcycle, and a tricycle. Most importantly, she was able to send her two children to school and provide a comfortable life for her family.

Nanay Lani and many others are evidence that, given proper training and exposure to opportunities, Filipinos have the grit to better their own lives. Given the chance, the poor themselves can overcome poverty.

Considering that micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) make up 99.6% of all businesses in the Philippines and 91.6% of MSMEs are micro-enterprises, we can only imagine what sort of impact we can generate by growing these businesses and sustaining their success.

Empowering the micro-enterprises around the country is a key to unlocking inclusive growth and shared prosperity.

With this in mind, I authored the Go Negosyo Act, which was signed into law last July 2014. It mandates that a Negosyo Center be established in every municipality, city, and province in the Philippines with the hope of replicating the success of our nanays.

Each Negosyo Center is aimed to be a comprehensive support system for entrepreneurs. Patterned after our experience in Hapinoy, Negosyo Centers will offer training and mentorship, access to financing, and market linkages to help all our small businesses get to a level of sustainability.

This year alone, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is tasked to open one hundred Negosyo Centers around the country, and by 2019, we hope to have over a thousand of these centers equipped to provide valuable support to our MSMEs.

This year, we have already launched Negosyo Centers inDaet, Camarines Norte, Albay, Aklan, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro, General Santos, Zamboanga del Sur, and Surigao.

There is no better time than now to push for a massive scale-up of MSME support. We have a proven model for success, a policy to back it up, a substantial base of micro-enterprises, and eager Filipinos just waiting, clamoring to develop their skills and grab at any opportunity.

There is no better time than now to push for inclusive growth and to empower our countrymen to climb out poverty through enterprise development.

The Hapinoy nanays have proven that they can become successful, and my hopeful heart is certain that there are more Filipinos out there who yearn to prove to themselves and to the world that they, too, can succeed, given the right push and support.

***

First Published on Manila Bulletin

At a crossroads

In the next few weeks, we can expect news reports to revolve around the debates on the amendments on the draft of the Bangsamoro Basic Law and how it has been affected by the tragedy in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

With the spotlight on the conflict in Mindanao, we are confronted with countless questions and emotions associated with distrust and, ultimately, fear.

Last month, the Senate released its committee report following the investigation on the Mamasapano clash and I am one of the senators who signed the committee report with reservations.

Though I agree with majority of what was written, I disagree with some of the conclusions made regarding the actions of the peace panel, the peace process, and the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law itself.

There were conclusions about the“excessive” optimism of the peace panel, and the report went as far as calling the Bangsamoro Basic Law a “casualty” of the Mamasapano clash. These statements went beyond the scope of the hearings.

While the peace panel was represented during the Senate investigation, they were not able to present the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law in depth nor were they able to discuss the peace process in detail.

We wrote the committee asking for clarifications and, if necessary, we will propose amendments once the report reaches the plenary.

These next few months are crucial if we are to achieve justice for our fallen heroes. We must maintain our focus on three things: First, we must capture those that were involved in the summary killing of the SAF 44 and have them stand trial for their crimes.

Second, we must ascertain that the families of the Fallen 44 are cared for and that the donations and benefits awarded to them are properly turned over.

And third, we must work to the best of our abilities to have peace in Mindanao so that tragedies like this will no longer happen again.

Through the course of the Mamasapano hearings, a number of concerns have been raised regarding the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law. Some of these are with regard to constitutionality and others with regard to resources to be allotted for the proposed Bangsamoro new political entity.

The most pressing concerns, though, are with regard to the MILF itself and their ability to be partners in the peace process.

The crossroads we now face are whether legislators will seek to address these concerns through changes in the Bangsamoro Basic Law or whether these concerns mean the junking of the bill and possibly, the peace process altogether.

Though it may not seem that way now, before Mamasapano, we were closer than we had ever been to ending the decades-long conflict in Mindanao. Can we find our way back amidst the anger, fear, and grief that befell us?

The answer to this pregnant question is not just a “Yes,” but a “We have to.”

To honor those that have fallen in Mamasapano, and the thousands more throughout the decades of armed conflict, we have to.

To protect families from being displaced and torn apart by armed conflict, we have to.

To ensure that Filipinos stop killing each other, we have to.

It is the job of the Senate to debate, deliberate, and refine the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law and produce the best possible version that addresses the concerns in our peoples’ hearts and minds.

We must learn from the Mamasapano incident and let spring forth a stronger regime of peace instead of letting the tragic event be a catalyst for more violence, war, and terror.

It is “the better angels of our nature,” as Lincoln once said, that will help us decide what path to take.

 

First Published on Manila Bulletin

BIDA KA!: Go K to 12!

Mga Bida, kasabay ng muling pagbabalik-eskuwela ng milyun-mil­yong kabataang Pinoy, mainit din ang usapin ukol sa K to 12 Basic Education Program na naisabatas noong 2013.

Layon ng batas na ito na maisabay ang Pilipinas sa modernong sistema ng edukasyon sa ginagamit na sistema ng mundo. Bago kasi ang K to 12, tayo na lang ang bansa sa Asya na gumagamit ng 10-year pre-university cycle.

Sa buong mundo, isa tayo sa tatlong bansa  kasama ang Angola at Djibouti – na gumagamit pa ng 10-year basic education system.

Sa programang ito, magkakaroon ng dagdag na Grades 11 at 12 na magbibigay ng sapat na kaalaman sa mga estudyante kung nais na nilang magtrabaho agad o ‘di kaya’y magtayo ng sari­ling negosyo.

***

Subalit malaking hamon ang kinakaharap ng programa dahil ilang sektor ang kumukuwestiyon sa kahandaan ng pamahalaan na ipatupad ito.

Bago naging batas, masusing pinag-aralan ang K to 12 Education Program ng mga pribado at pampublikong sektor, batay na rin sa pagsasaliksik at karanasan sa edukasyon.

Kaya hindi na kailangang pagdebatehan ang kahalagahan ng K to 12 sa kaunlaran ng edukasyon sa Pilipinas at sa paghubog ng mas magaling at mas handang mga mag-aaral sa kinabukasan.

Mga Bida, ang mas nararapat na tanong ay kung kaya ba na­ting maipatupad ang repormang ito sa buong bansa.

***

Mga Bida, kung pag-uusapan natin ang mga naabot ng DepEd sa nakalipas na limang taon, masasabing marami na ang kanilang nagawa sa pagpaangat ng kalidad ng edukasyon sa bansa.

Noong 2010, may backlog na 66,000 classrooms ang bansa. Sa nakalipas na limang taon, nakapagpatayo ang DepEd ng 142,149 na silid-aralan.

Sa limang taon ding iyon, kumuha ang DepEd ng 167,121 guro dahil na rin sa lumalaking populasyon ng mga mag-aaral.

Kung pondo naman ang pag-uusapan, itinaas ng Senado ang budget ng DepEd sa P364.66 bilyon ngayong taon, na mahigit doble sa pondo ng ahensiya noong 2010 na P174 bilyon.

Sa mga datos na ito, marami nang nagawa ang DepEd at malaki na ang ikinaganda ng edukasyon sa bansa sa nakalipas na limang taon.
Mga Bida, makikita ang kakayahan ng DepEd at ng iba pang stakeholders na ilatag ang kailangang paghahanda at pagpapaganda upang maipatupad nang husto ang programa.

Aminado tayong marami pang dapat ayusin sa pagpapatupad ng K-12 system, kabilang ang pagkuha ng mga bagong guro at mga tauhan sa iba’t ibang posisyon, training sa transition, paglalathala ng mga libro at pagdaragdag pa ng mga imprastruktura.

Sa kabila ng mga hamong ito, mayroon pa tayong isang taon bago ang tuluyang pagpapatupad ng K-12 Program.

May isang taon pa upang makahanap ng mga solusyon sa mga nakaambang isyu at para matugunan ang mga pangamba ng ating publiko sa bagong programa.

Ang mahalaga rito, huwag tayong mag-iwanan at huwag bumitiw habang papalapit na tayo sa buong katuparan ng programang K to 12.

Ituloy natin ang pag-aalalay, paghahanda, at pagbibigay suporta sa DepEd, sa ating mga paaralan at mga guro.
Ngunit ang pinakamahalaga, ito’y para sa mas magandang kinabukasan ng ating kabataang Pinoy at ng buong bansa!

 

First Published on Abante Online

 

 

NEGOSYO, NOW NA!: Bukas na isip

Mga Kanegosyo, sa pagdating ng Hunyo, patapos na tayo sa unang kalahati ng taon. Kumusta na ang ating pinapatakbong negosyo? Sana’y nakatutulong kami sa pagpapalago ng inyong pangkabuhayan sa mga kuwento at tips na tinatalakay natin sa kolum na ito.

Ngayong linggo, pag-usapan natin ang kahalagahan ng isang bukas na isip sa mga pagbabagong nangyayari sa ating mundo sa kasalukuyan.

Mga Kanegosyo, kung sarado ang ating isipan sa mga bago at sariwang ideya, sistema at mga bagay-bagay, tiyak na mapag-iiwanan tayo sa mabilis na takbo ng buhay.

Sa pagnenegosyo, kapag sarado ang ating isip sa mga suhestiyon, bagong ideya o ‘di kaya’y modernong sistema, tiyak na kakain tayo ng alikabok sa mga kakumpitensya sa merkado.

Hindi lang basta nagmamasid sa merkado tayong mga negosyante; naghahanap din tayo ng makabagong ideya upang mapaganda ang negosyo sa pamamagitan ng pagbabasa at pananaliksik.

Maituturing na bukas ang isip ng isang negosyante kung handa tayong tumanggap ng panukala, komento at mga tanong sa produkto at serbisyo natin.

Magandang kumuha ng mga bagong ideya sa kapalirigan, sa ating mga tauhan, pamilya, mga kaibigan, ang ating mga suki at maging ang mga kakumpitensya.

Makakakuha rin ng mga bagong ideya mula sa mga aklat, magazine, video, newsletter, seminar at sa Internet.

***

Kapag galing sa isang bigong pag-ibig, ang iba sa atin ay bumibiyahe sa malalayong lugar upang doon magpalipas ng sama ng loob, makapag-isip-isip at makapagpahinga.

Ganito ang pinagdaanan ni Cathy Brillantes-Turvill. Galing siya sa bigong pag-ibig at naghanap ng paglilibangan para malayo ang isip sa pait na nararamdaman.

Upang makalimot, naging madalas ang pagpunta niya sa isang kumbento sa Tagaytay upang doon magdasal at magmuni-muni.

Sa madalas niyang pagbalik-balik sa Tagaytay, napansin niya na walang spa sa nasabing lugar na makatutulong sa kanyang makapagpahinga.

Nagkataong nakilala ni Cathy ang isang British chemist na si Dr. Mike Turvill, na supplier ng essential oils sa mga spa sa five-star hotel sa Metro Manila.

Nabanggit niya ang ideya kay Mike, na siya namang kumumbinsi sa kanya na ituloy ang pangarap na negosyo, na ngayo’y kilala bilang Nurture Spa.

Sinimulan niya ang bagong negosyo, na mayroon lang dalawang kuwarto. Nang tumagal, lumaki ang spa, na ngayo’y mayroon ng anim na gazebo, siyam na indoor massage rooms, apat na native huts, pitong airconditioned rooms at isang seminar room.

Kahit matagumpay na, bukas pa rin ang isip niya sa mga pagbabago sa industriya. Parati siyang nagsasaliksik at sumasali sa mga conference upang matutunan ang makabagong technique sa pagmamasahe at pagpapatakbo ng spa, bukod sa pakikinig sa mga komento ng kanyang mga customer.

Hindi lang naging naging bukas ang isip niya sa pagnenegosyo. Naging bukas din ang kanyang puso kay Mike, na siyang naging asawa niya.

Kaya mga Kanegosyo, kapag bukas tayo sa mga bagay-bagay, tunay na walang limit ang daan tungo sa tagumpay!

 

 

First Published on Abante Online

 

 

 

Towards fair competition, healthier economy

In a competitive market, businesses gain success by creating quality products, managing expenses, achieving operational efficiency, and effectively communicating and catering to their market.

 

Nations around the world recognize the need to create a business environment that best reflects this through competition policies that guard against bad business behavior.

Back in 1890, the US enacted the US Sherman Act, the first set of national laws to deal with monopolies and restraints of trade.

 

Australia followed suit in 1906 with the Australian Industries Preservation Act. After World War II, Japan passed its Monopolies and Restrictive Practices (Inquiry and Control) Act.

 

More recently, our neighbors in Southeast Asia have also passed their respective competition laws: Indonesia and Thailand in 1999, Singapore in 2004, Vietnam in 2005, and Malaysia in 2012.

 

Finally, after two decades worth of attempts, the Philippines is on its way to enacting its first comprehensive competition law – a legislation aimed at protecting local businesses and building a vibrant, more competitive economy by putting an end to anti-competitive agreements, cartels, collusions, unfair & abusive practices.

 

At its core, the competition law is about maintaining opportunities for all to compete so that present market leaders cannot exclude up and coming challengers who might be able to lower prices, improve product quality, offer consumers more choices, or spark the next wave of innovation in the market.

 

The Fair Competition Act of 2014 has successfully passed through the Senate and the House of Representatives just recently approved the bill on its third reading – a big win for the Philippine economy, for local businesses, and for every Filipino consumer.

 

Reaping benefits

 

The benefits of healthy competition in industry, in developing countries in particular, have long been acknowledged. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Global Forum on International Investment (2008) hailed the positive impact of promoting market competition in a number of developing economies, and among them is attracting foreign investments.

 

The OECD paper, “Competition Policy Enforcement: Experiences from Developing Countries and Implications for Investment,” stated that an effective competition policy will eliminate barriers to entry and exit of new business entities, curb anti-competitive practices, and lead to increased competition and, inevitably, greater investment into the country.

 

In our recent history, there are actual, observable examples of how increased competition has improved industry, spurred innovation, and resulted in better and cheaper choices for consumers.

 

In fact, we reap the benefits of healthy competition every time we flip through TV channels, struggle to decide which new restaurant to try, or marvel at the new upgrades on our latest smartphone.

Try and recall the first mobile phones introduced to the market in the early 1990s. Who would have guessed that in just two decades, those bulky analogs would transform into light, touch-screen devices of the future?

 

In just a few years, cellphones of all shapes and sizes were introduced, each one trying to one-up the other. The antenna became obsolete, screens got bigger and more colorful, batteries got lighter and more compact, and a variety of new features were introduced until the cellphone morphed into an all-in-one life-hacking device with an HD camera, editing tools, a music library, Internet access, Candy Crush, world maps, GPS tracking, Twitter, and a wealth of other helpful applications.

 

In the Philippines, with more and more companies selling mobile phones, there are a variety of brands and models to choose from. With this power to choose comes the power to demand quality phones at the lowest prices.

 

In 1997, a Nokia 5110 cost over P10,000. Today, that amount can buy you a Nokia Lumia with features that move well beyond calling, texting, and playing snake. Plus, you can purchase a similar, local brand mobile phone from Cherry Mobile or MyPhone for just a fraction of that price.

 

While the mobile phone used to be a status symbol for the elite, today you see anyone from students to sari-sari store owners and taxi drivers swiping through their own touch-screen phones.

 

Competition between mobile phone manufacturers spurred innovation in targeted markets, diversifying products while driving down prices for the benefit of both the industry and the consumers.

 

We’ve seen the same pattern in the airline industry. In the 1980s, the flights zipping through our archipelago were few, far between, and expensive. Flying to Davao to visit my mother’s family was a calculated, budgeted expense.

 

But with more airline companies came more flights and more choices for us Filipinos. Companies began getting to know the market better and started targeting specific groups – like budget travelers. Opportunity was found in lower prices and today, the country is in a flurry with ever promo fare announcement.

 

Power of competition

 

Now, more Filipinos get to explore the Philippines and the world for cheap. More entrepreneurs can fly across seas quickly and at any time of day to scout for partners and make sound business deals. The local tourism sector also benefitted greatly from the intense competition in the airline industry.

 

Such is the power of healthy competition in these specific industries, which we hope can be replicated in even more industries in the country. The Fair Competition Act can spearhead this healthy, competitive environment for our local business sector.

 

The legislation’s priority is to create a fair environment for all businesses – new or old, small or large. It penalizes business behavior that is anti-competition and that hinders our markets from providing the best options and opportunities for our consumers.

 

Businesses can no longer make moves to create barriers to entry for new players nor can they bully smaller enterprises by selling below cost or restricting market opportunities.

 

Colluding with other dominant players to fix prices, divide territories, or refuse deals with particular vendors will also be penalized and, in fact, criminalized.

 

But while this law is vigilant against exercise of market power, it is not against bigness. It respects dominance gained by competing on merits.

 

The Act seeks to establish a Fair Competition Commission (FCC) to look into the cases filed and objectively determine whether there have been abuses. The FCC is tasked to promote competition, enhance economic efficiency, and prohibit anti-competitive acts and abuse of power.

 

It will be supported by the existing Office for Competition (OFC) of the Department of Justice (DOJ). It will serve as the prosecutor in criminal cases filed and have exclusive authority over the criminal enforcement of this Act.

 

The FCC, OFC and other government agencies will work hand in hand to build a better business environment that the consumers desire and deserve.

 

For too long, the lack of a competition policy has crippled new businesses and left micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) vulnerable to abuse. At the end of the day, it is our consumers that are robbed of better quality, more choices, and lower prices for products and services.

 

The Fair Competition Act is pro-poor, pro-people, and pro-business. It safeguards the welfare of businesses, large and small, and protects honest, hard-working entrepreneurs against abuse of dominance and other unfair practices that put them and their consumers at risk.

 

With four years of sustained economic growth, it is now time to work on strengthening our local industries, promoting a culture of competition and innovation, and boosting our potential to serve the global market with outstanding products and services.

 

While we acknowledge that the Fair Competition Act is not the miracle cure that will sustain our thriving economy, we believe that this is the necessary step, the significant leap towards a culture of healthy competition that promotes efficiency, and inspires ingenuity, creativity, and innovation in the Philippines.

More importantly, this culture of healthy competition is a fundamental building block in our transition to a sustainable and inclusive middle-income country – a dream for many of us Filipinos that now has a chance of becoming a reality.

 

First published on Rappler.com

 

 

NEGOSYO, NOW NA!: Expertise

Mga Kanegosyo, noong nakaraang linggo, tinalakay natin ang kaha­lagahan ng ­integridad sa pagnenegosyo — na ang pagiging tapat sa pag­pa­patakbo nito at ang hindi panloloko ng mga mamimili at supplier ang isa sa mga susi para magtagal at maging matagum­pay ang ating mga negos­yo.

Ngayong linggo nama­n, pag-usapan natin ang tungkol sa ­pagiging bihasa natin sa ­larangan na ating papasukin upang mas maging malaki ang bentahe ng itatayo ­nating negosyo o pagkaka­ki­taan.

Mas mahirap kasing magsimula at umasenso kung wala tayong alam o mangangapa pa sa negosyong itatayo. Baka mas matatagalan ang pag-a­ngat ng negosyo kung hindi kabisado ang linya ng papasukin.

Halimbawa, kung ang linya natin ay may ­kaalaman sa ­computer ngunit laundry shop ang ating papasukin, mas maraming detalye ang kailangang ­pag-aaralan bago magkaroon ng gamay sa pagpapatakbo ng isang laundry shop.

Sa isang artikulo sa Forbes.com, isa sa mga website na tumatalakay sa matatagumpay na negosyo, ang pagiging bihasa sa larangan ay ang pinakamalaking sandata ng isang entrepreneur.

Sa paliwanag ng nagsulat na si Kevin Ready, isang negosyante, manunulat at marketing specialist, kapag bihasa na tayo sa larangang pinasok, makakabisado na ang pasikot-sikot nito at mas madali nang malusutan ang kahit anong uri ng problema.

Maliban dito, ­dahil alam na ang sistema ng pagpapatakbo sa negos­yo, mas madali nang mailalatag at mapagha­handaan ang mga plano’t programa para sa hinaharap.
Magiging kabisado na rin ang galaw ng merkado; mas madali nang makapag-adjust sa mga produkto o serbisyo na ipapasok.

Puwede rin namang pumasok sa mga negosyong wala tayong karanasan. Mas magiging malaki nga lang ang kailangang habulin.

***

Natapos ni Dra. Vicky Belo ang Bachelor of Science sa UP Diliman noong 1978 at nakumpleto ang kanyang degree sa Medicine and Surgery sa University of Sto. Tomas noong 1985.

Nagtrabaho muna siya ng isang taon bilang resident doctor sa Makati Medical Center bago pinursige ang kanyang diploma sa Dermatology mula sa Institute of Dermatology sa Bangkok, Thailand noong 1990.

Pagbalik niya ng Pilipinas, sinimulan niya ang pangarap na magtayo ng sariling clinic para sa liposuction at laser sa isang 44-metro kuwadradong espasyo sa Medical Towers sa Makati.

Malaking sugal ang ginawa niya dahil noong mga panahong iyon, bihira lang ang mayroong ganitong uri ng klinika sa bansa at kakaunti pa lang ang may interes na suma­ilalim sa tinatawag na enhancement.

Sa una, mabagal ang dating ng kliyente dahil puro mayayaman lang ang nagpupunta sa clini­c niya.
Ngunit ­dalawang ling­go ang nakalipas mula nang buksan niya ang klinika, bumisita ang isang sikat na singer na kanyang naging regular na kliyente at modelo.

Kumuha rin siya ng isang publicist na isa ring kilalang TV host upang ipakilala sa madla ang kanyang klinika.
Mula noon, sabi nga nila, the rest is history. Dahil eksperto si Dra. Belo sa kanyang negosyo, maraming serbisyo ang kanyang nailabas para sa merkado.

Dalawampu’t limang taon ang nakalipas, malayo na ang narating ng Belo Medical Group. Ito na ang itinuturing bilang numero unong medical aesthetic clinic sa bansa.
Mula sa maliit na klinika sa Makati, nga­yon ay mayroon nang siyam na klinika sa Metro Manila at tig-isang klinika sa Cebu at Davao.

Basta’s bihasa sa larangan na papasukin, hindi na mangangapa at kadalasan, mas magiging mabilis pa ang pag-angat ng negosyo!

 

First Published on  Abante Online

 

 

The miracle of unity

The last-minute reprieve of Filipina prisoner Mary Jane Veloso by the resolute Indonesian government last April 29 was a welcome shock to the Philippine community and was heralded by many, including myself, as a miracle.

The miracle I found was not only in the inexplicable and seemingly supernatural shifting of circumstance but in the fact that so many individuals, government agencies, and civil society organizations, who are usually in constant conflict with each other, actually worked together for a common purpose – and succeeded.

This miracle is the best sort. It was borne out of compassion, hard work, and unity despite differences and animosity toward each other.

The President, Vice President, Department of Justice (DOJ), government agencies, human rights advocates, religious groups, leftist groups, Filipinos here and all over the world came together, even Manny Pacquiao called for, and worked to save the life of one Filipina.

And though short-lived, we were willing and able to join our voices and our efforts to create a collective force so strong and so convincing that it stopped the inevitable from happening.

Mary Jane struck a cord in all of us. She became a symbol of the Filipino, who, in desperation to provide a better life for her family, falls victim to abuse for nefarious purposes.

She is just one out of too many Filipinos suffering injustices to build a better life for their family. Her case of alleged drug trafficking is just one out of too many cases in the country victimized by drug syndicates, capitalizing on the poverty of the Filipino family.

She has brought to our collective consciousness the grave injustices suffered by Filipinos around the world. We have been made starkly aware of the tremendous risk our countrymen are willing to take in the hopes of a brighter future for their children.

But her reprieve also revealed that we, in fact, have the power to change the course of history when we set aside our differences and work for a common objective.

There are at least 7,000 Overseas Filipinos (OFs) incarcerated abroad. In their 2014 Annual Report, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) stated that there were 80 death penalty cases being monitored, 45 of which are drug-related.

How many of these prisoners were unjustly arrested and imprisoned? How many of them were actually involved in the drug trade and deserve to be incarcerated and how many were unwitting pawns and scapegoats?

Clearly, there are thousands of Mary Janes out there with cases coursing through the justice system of other countries.

Recently, we filed a resolution to thoroughly look into the cases of our incarcerated overseas Filipinos and, more importantly, evaluate the ways in which the Philippine government can offer more support. At the minimum, we need to make sure they get sound legal advice and a fair and just trial.

We have to get over our deep-seated biases and political rivalries and find it in ourselves to come together to ensure that the rights of the thousands of our imprisoned countrymen are not violated.

First published on Manila Bulletin

Beyond good intentions

Government policies, rules, and regulations are meant to develop a more productive society and improve the lives of citizens.

And yet, there seems to be a collective groan when these new policies are rolled out to the public.

Just recently, taxpayers from all over the country voiced out their resistance to the electronic filing system of the Bureau or Internal Revenue (BIR).

On its face, this shift in policy is commendable and noteworthy. Finally, we were switching to an online and paperless system, which should make filing and paying taxes a lot more convenient.

Gone are the days where taxpayers had to travel to their Revenue District Office (RDO), wait for hours, and waste paper photocopying various documents… ideally.

Unfortunately, this was not the case in the days leading up to the April 15 deadline.

There were times when the online system would not be operational, some businesses could not successfully register, and there was a lingering sense of confusion plaguing taxpayers and BIR employees alike.

While some RDOs made an extra effort to accommodate taxpayers, extending hours and setting up waiting areas, there were still complaints regarding the lack of helpful information for taxpayers.

We have received reports that BIR employees were unable to explain who was covered in the e-filing system and what penalties are applied to those unable to file in time.

Some RDOs even claimed they did not receive the Revenue Memorandum Circular (RMC) with regards to extending the deadline for electronic filing.

How can a well-intentioned, even innovative policy shift create so much dissatisfaction in our taxpayers?

I am reminded of a quote from the late Sec. Jesse Robredo: “Hindi sapat na tayo ay matino lamang. Hindi rin sapat na tayo ay mahusay lamang. Hindi lahat ng matino ay mahusay, at lalong hindi naman lahat ng mahusay ay matino. Ang dapat ay matino at mahusay upang karapat-dapat tayong pagkatiwalaan ng pera ng bayan.”

Good intentions and upright principles are vital in government, but so is capability, competency or the ability to implement properly. One without the other is good, but not good enough.

Can you imagine if this new policy was done hand-in-hand with proper implementation? Our taxpaying public would laud the BIR, and all government for that matter, for an innovation that they themselves have been clamoring for decades.

Instead, we had a missed opportunity, which left a number of our taxpayers confused and even questioning the systemic change.

This BIR example is just one of many cases where intentions were under appreciated because of implementation issues.

Oftentimes, we even hear talk about our laws being great on paper, but hardly implemented well.

Simply put, we need to go beyond good intentions. Now is the time to develop our capacity for efficient and effective planning and implementation, especially when we introduce systemic changes.

While the Philippines needs pure hearts and smart minds, we are also in need of capable hands to bring paper to practice and deliver palpable service to the millions of our countrymen.

 

 


First published on Manila Bulletin

 

 

 

 

BIDA KA: Maliliit na panalo

Mga Bida, pamilyar ba kayo sa terminong IP peering?

Kabisado ng mga ­techie o iyong mahihilig sa makabagong gamit at teknolohiya ang salitang ito ngunit hindi naman para sa mga ‘di techie.

Upang lubos na ma­unawaan ang takbo ng IP peering, gagamitin ko bilang halimbawa ang mag­kaibigang sina Vic at Joey, na magkaharap lang ang bahay sa Quezon City.

Kung may nais ­ibigay na regalo si Vic sa kanyang kaibigang Joey, pina­padala muna niya ito sa Estados Unidos bago ito makara­ting sa bahay ni Joey, at ganundin si Joey pag may ipapadala kay Vic.

Talagang pinapahirapan ng dalawang magkaibigang ito ang isa’t isa sa halip na tumawid na lamang sa kalsada at iabot ang mga regalo sa isa’t isa. Sa ganitong sistema, mabagal, sayang sa oras at magastos pa.

Ganito ang ­sistema ng ating telecommunications companies sa nga­­yon dahil sa ­kawalan ng IP pee­ring. Ang ­dala­wang telcos ay parang sina Vic at Joey na magkapitbahay lang pero wala silang direktang koneksiyon sa isa’t isa.

Kung ikaw ay isang subscriber at may bubuksan na website na nasa kabilang telco, bibiyahe pa ang data sa US bago bumalik ang iyong data sa iyong computer.

Sa ganitong proseso, mas matagal ang takbo ng ating Internet connection dahil kailangan pang bumiyahe sa milya-mil­yang kable ang data bago pa mabuksan ang website sa ating computer.

Subalit isang magandang balita ang ating tinanggap kamakailan sa padinig natin tungkol sa mabagal at mahal na Internet sa bansa.

***

Sinabi ng mga ­telcos at ng Department of ­Science and Technology (DOST) na malapit nang mabuo ang memorandum of agreement (MOA) para sa IP peering para sa lahat ng telcos sa bansa.

Sa plano, papayagan na ang IP peering gamit ang exchange server ng DOST upang direkta nang makapag-usap ang mga ISP nang hindi na dadaan pa sa ibang bansa.
May commitment na ang mga telcos at go­vernment agencies sa IP peering para sa mabilis na pagbuo ng MOA, na maaari nang mapirmahan anumang oras.

Kapag naisakatuparan ang IP peering, magiging lokal na ang nila­laman ng mga website sa Pilipinas. Mas bibilis ang Internet at mas madali nang magbukas ng mga website dahil hindi na kailangang umikot pa sa malayong bahagi ng mundo ang data.

***

Isa pa sa maituturin­g na maliit na panalo ay ang plano ng National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) na lumikha ng isang memorandum circular na siyang magtatakda ng dapat na bilis ng Internet sa bansa.

Kapag lumabas iyon, puwede na itong ibangga sa opisyal na bilis sa nakalagay sa advertisements ng telcos.

***

Sinimulan na rin ang pagtalakay sa mga prose­so ng ating gobyerno ukol sa paglalagay ng telcos ng imprastruktura gaya ng cell site at mga kable na magpapabilis sa ating Internet.

Sa kasalukuyang sis­tema, labing-anim na hak­bang at anim hanggang pitong ­national government ­agencies ang dapat daanan bago makapagpatayo ng impras­truktura sa isang lugar.

Dahil dito, napipigi­lan ang expansion programs ng telcos para sa mas magandang Internet.

Nagpahayag ang NTC na pag-aaralan ang mga nasabing hakbang para mas mapadali ang pagkuha ng mga permit ng telcos sa mga national agencies.

Sa panig ng DILG, nangako silang makiki­pag-ugnayan sa mga siyudad, munisipalidad at mga lalawigan para sa pag-aaral ng mga bayarin at mga proseso para makakuha ng permit ang ating mga telcos.

Noong nakaraang hearing, may nagsabi sa social media na, “we are barking at the wrong tree.” Mukhang maling isyu raw ang ating tini­tingnan para masolus­yunan ang problema sa ating Internet connection.

Ngunit para sa akin, ang tintingnan natin ay hindi iisang puno, kundi isang gubat na mara­ming masasalimuot at kumplikadong isyu.

Ang ginagawa natin, iniisa-isa natin ang pagresolba sa mga isyung ito upang maabot natin ang inaasam na malaking panalo para sa taumbayan.

Mga Bida, isang taon na ang nakalipas nang si­mulan natin ang pagtala­kay sa isyu ng Internet. Hindi natin ito bibitawan hanggang sa makuha nating mga users ang nararapat na bilis, presyo at access ng Internet connection!

 

 

First published on Abante Online

 

 

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