BON of contention

The controversy over the alleged leakage in the June nursing licensure exams is getting far-reaching consequences, with the country’s bid to have a National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) testing center here virtually gone. While some nurses were able to take their oath despite a temporary restraining order issued by the Court of Appeals, the common perception among observers is that those belonging to the batch are "tainted." Without a retake of the disputed Tests 3 and 5 covering medical surgical nursing and psychiatric mental health, the competence of these nurses in the two areas will forever be clouded by doubt. Reports claim that several members of the Board of Nursing (BON) were the sources of the leakage, among them the resigned president of the Philippine Nursing Association George Cordero, who also owns the Philippine College of Health Sciences and the Inress Review Center which was implicated in the leakage. While the NBI has taken over the investigation, some groups are demanding that PRC not take part in the investigations because of several blunders it reportedly committed when news of the leakage first broke out. Initial findings showed that the leaked portions of the test were handwritten manuscripts by several BON members. The leakage has been reportedly traced to Baguio City, but just how far-reaching it was still remains the BON of contention. Meanwhile, Catanduanes Rep. Joseph Santiago is pushing for the criminal prosecution of those responsible for the irregularity, as well as the closure of nursing schools and review centers linked to the leakage.

‘Alcoholic’ cars

Despite graft charges hounding it and marring the incoming October polls, Brazil can teach other countries a lesson or two with its successful pro-alcohol program started over 20 years ago. According to industry sources, Brazil’s "flex-fuel" vehicles — or those that have been suited to run on alcohol — has hit the two million mark. These "flex-fuel" cars are virtual "alcoholics," running on any combination of ethanol and petrol, and have been on sale for 25 years, just lately enjoying a revival since flex fuel models hit the headlines in 2003 with a modest sale of just 48,200 vehicles. By the end of 2005, the total had reached 1.2 million and has since reached more than two million. This "alcohol" success story may have taken a long time coming, but it’s one that oil-dependent economies could take a leaf from. Alcohol, anyone?

PAGCOR chair gets European Casino Association support

Industry observers expect a boost to the gaming industry in the country with the European Casino Association (ECA) pledging support to the newly formed Euro-Asian Cooperation on Gaming (ECG) headed by Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. chairman and CEO Efraim Genuino as interim chairman. The ECG, an international trade association based in the Philippines, was formed during the Euro-Asian Summit of Leaders, which coincided with the first Asia’s Gaming & Entertainment Plus Leisure Expo Manila (Asia’s GEM) 2006 held at the Manila World Trade Center earlier this year. It brings together casino owners, operators and other gaming industry members from two continents whose vision is to lead in the promotion of gaming as a highly diversified and progressive industry. It also means to highlight the industry as an integral component of global tourism and entertainment, bringing significant benefits to the respective nations where its members operate. Genuino and a contingent of ECG officers embarked on a promotional visit around Europe to create awareness about the organization, its objectives, and its impact on the future of global gaming. The ECA chaired by Ron Goudsmit, vice president of Holland Casino, provides information and assessment of European Union policies on casinos, promotes awareness of the gaming industry to EU policy makers and stakeholders, and provides valuable input to decisions that affect the gaming, tourism and entertainment industries. "We see the European Casino Association as an important partner in strengthening the bond between the European and Asian gaming industries. This visit has yielded very positive results, not the least of which was achieving the ECA’s support," Genuino said.

GSIS record discrepancies

While the computerization program of GSIS is supposed to expedite processing of records, GSIS members continue to complain about delayed dividends, discrepancy between paid premiums and those recorded and other glitches. One policyholder who has yet to receive his dividends, normally given in December, has exhausted his account making ATM balance inquiries. He also complained that the records of paid premiums only reflect those paid from 1998 to present, while those from 1989 to 1997 are not reflected at all. This is a serious discrepancy because it affects the service record of government employees and could jeopardize their retirement benefits. Perhaps GSIS should evaluate their record keeping system and correct these discrepancies.

* * *

Join our ring of Eye-spies by sending your intelligence information, complaints, pictures, and comments to [email protected].

All information will be strictly confidential.