Aussies going bananas?

Observers from the country’s export sector are starting to believe that the government of Australia is hell-bent on blocking our banana exports to their "land down under."

If it’s ego trip we are after we can just dismiss this action as a big complement to our locally grown "Pinoy bananas". They must really be that good that competition is that scared to see our "Pinoy bananas" penetrate the Aussie market.

It has been reported that in a recent draft on an IRA or Import Risk Assessment made by Biosecurity Australia, it was declared that Philippine-product Cavendish bananas couldn’t gain entry into the Australian market due supposedly to various pests carried by the fruit. This is despite our farmers’ implementation of all the world-accepted standards on plantation and post-harvest and processing quality control measures.

Our Department of Agriculture said that the Australian government is proposing "additional risk management measures" for our banana farmers to adopt. Our DA deems the proposed additional measures unnecessary and would only make our farmers incur additional costs and could even make our banana’s export prices uncompetitive.

Is this a classic example of what many of those opposed to the WTO espoused "tariff-free" global trade are saying that the developed countries can just cite if they want to block the import of some products?

I remember during the time when Sen. Ed Angara was handling the agricultural portfolio he poised a very strict yet obviously effective "tit for tat" stance with the Australians – no agricultural products from the Philippines, no meat or dairy products from Australia.

Is it about time, again?

Sub-standard member benefits due to bad investments?

There is a move by the SSS or Social Security System to raise members’ contributions in order to upgrade their benefits. Many saw and heard the TV "upsound" of an SSS official saying that, "if we want to get more water from the well, we should fill the well with more water."

There’s a loud howl of protest from the small earners though. Those who cannot, with present meager incomes, make both ends meet or could hardly survive. This is tantamount to lessening what’s already a lot less.

What’s more alarming are questions regarding past or even probably present SSS investments that many of those who claim to know allege, do not only fall under unsound investments, many even border on "improper financial adventures" using the members’ funds.

Many still maintain that the SSS members should not suffer alone now that "the well no longer contains enough water or less than what’s being consumed." Firstly, there should be a very transparent accountability of past investments that have gone sour and to determine how sour they have actually gone. Second, those responsible for such unsound and more so, improper financial adventures should be unmasked, made accountable for, and if need be, punished.

It is the belief of many that the SSS should start with a clean slate first to gain back the members’ trust before venturing into additional contributions. Let’s not make the members feel that this is going to be "good money after bad."

Isuzu ‘lifestyle’

Mr. Hiroshi Ishino, the "sportsman" executive vice president of Isuzu Philippines Corp. led some of his executives and that of Pilipinas Shell and some members of the local motoring media on an adrenalin pumping adventure to far flung Kalinga, north of the Philippines for some exciting white water rafting.

This only goes to show that my friend Ishino-san’s versatility in his quest for adventure goes way beyond his knack for ballroom dancing. The other recent muscle-cramping endeavor he gamely and eagerly pursued was a trek to Mayon Volcano.

And what better way to demonstrate the reliability of the Isuzu vehicles used for the long trips and the comfort they offer despite the tedious drive and ride.

Equally important in these adventures is the kind of lifestyle that Isuzu is tryng to project to its present satisfied owners and future buyers. I can surmise that what Ishino-san is trying to send out, as a signal is that if you’re as fun loving, adventurous and thrill seeking as he is, then you should be another satisfied Isuzu vehicle owner.

Selling dreams and selling cars while enjoying the adventure that goes with it – that’s the perfect combination of business and leisure.

Saturday nightcap

Tonight at 11 o’clock on Channel 4 Manila and nationwide via satellite on the National Broadcasting Network, the TV show Business & Leisure comes alive once again with vital inputs for the businessmen and leisure seekers.

The "weekly window to the world of business and guide to the good life" again offers a diary of the week’s top business headlines courtesy of Mitsubishi Motors Philippines, a forecast of issues to watch out for in the coming week’s trading at the local stock exchange from one of the country’s respected market analysts and some interesting bits of business developments from abroad.

Likewise, you can expect some lifestyle chronicles of recent exciting events and happenings in the exclusive social, cultural and corporate circles of the metropolis coupled with very interesting and informative features about the good life. Don’t fail to watch.

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