No respect for the elderly

Senior citizens are complaining about this branch of Mercury Drugstore in the Starmall Complex located at the corner of EDSA and Shaw Boulevard. Even after presenting proper documents such as the OSCA ID card and purchase book slip, drugstore sales people refuse to give the mandated 20-percent discount for purchases. When the seniors point out that there is a law entitling them to discounts on certain products and services, they are merely told that the store does not give discounts. One of the seniors called the store manager to question this policy, only to be told that they could only give him two pieces of the medicine at the discounted rate. It’s as if these sales people want the elderly customers to keep going back to the store to buy piecemeal just to avail of the discount. This is such utter disrespect not only to the elderly, but a violation of RA 7432.

Senator Palengke to crack down on diploma mills

Substandard schools churning out graduates who flunk government licensure exams better shape up, or else. Sen. Mar Roxas is taking up the cudgels for frustrated and long-suffering parents who pay good money to schools that turn out to be nothing better than "diploma mills." Seeking a Senate investigation in aid of legislation, "Senator Palengke" said that "less than adequate schools have no right to continue to engage in the business of educating students. They should be closed down promptly." According to the Professional Regulation Commission, the average passing rate across 33 professional fields requiring licensure or eligibility exams was a dismal 45 percent over the last five years. A previous Asiaweek magazine survey likewise disclosed that among Asia’s Best Universities, UP is ranked 48th while De La Salle University and the Ateneo de Manila are in 71st and 72nd place, respectively. The poor rating of the top Philippine schools compared to others in Asia shows the rapid decline in the quality of tertiary education in the country, Roxas pointed out in a Senate resolution. The Commission on Higher Education or CHED had recently ordered 191 colleges and universities to phase out certain programs, including accountancy, civil engineering and elementary education because of the poor performance of its graduates in government licensure examinations.

SpyBiz bulletin: La Salle alumni career forum

The Liberal Arts Chapter of the De La Salle Alumni Association will host on March 30, 2005 a career forum titled "Fast Track Your Career With Lasallians Looking Out for One Another." The forum will have two sessions and will take place at the Francisco Santiago Hall at the Mezzanine Floor of the Equitable PCI Bank Tower 1, HV Dela Costa corner Makati Ave., Makati City. Speakers for the first session from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. will be headed by De La Salle University president Bro. Armin Luistro, followed by PCI Bank CEO Rene Buenaventura and other distinguished Lasallians from various industries. Speakers for the evening session from 5 to 8 p.m. will be headed by DLSU EVP Dr. Carmelita Quebengco, followed by Franco del Rosario of Six Sigma Consulting, and others. The forum not only addresses concerns such as finding a better job and getting a promotion but also how to have a successful second career. Topics include "To Be a CEO, Think Like a CEO," "Blunders in Career Change," and "Myths About How To Fast Track a Career," among others. Call the La Salle Alumni Office at 523-6158 or 526-5612 for inquiries, or email [email protected].

Spy tidbiz: Clarification from upscale hospital

Representatives of the well-known hospital in an upscale part of the metropolis that was referred to last March 3 regarding the P15,000 deposit policy clarified that they waive the deposit in cases of real life-threatening emergencies. At any rate, the deposit they require doesn’t even approximate the P15,000 mentioned. They explained that the complaining person has long been known as a malcontent in the hospital despite the fact that she continues to patronize the establishment.

Spy rejoinder: PNB Management and Development Corp. reacts

We received a letter from PNB Management and Development Corp.’s Mr. Cesar Sugali, who is the president’s special asst. He explained that contrary to our March 1 report that the former Pantranco property has been acquired by the Gokongweis, "the said property is registered under the name of our company, PNB Management and Development Corp., and we have not sold it to anybody." And that is that.

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