Nothing to sell

“Oh so sorry bro, but the launch is off!” Things are so bad at the pier that all our goods are stuck in Hong Kong, Thailand and Singapore and can’t be shipped to the Philippines”

I’ve heard this statement twice in varying forms from two major distributors of high-end consumer products, both of whom have a long waiting list of buyers but with nothing to sell. One company had scheduled a major product launch last month while the other was all set for an August launch until they realized that there was no way they could bring in their products through the port of Manila that is so ridiculously “constipated” with container vans and cargo.

IS ANYBODY IN-CHARGE OF THE PROBLEM?

I don’t know if the President realizes that the situation is equivalent to a crisis and a major threat to our supply chain? At the very least, the Department of Finance, the DOTC and various chambers of commerce should organize an urgent summit to bring attention to the matter. As an outsider one gets the impression that no one in government is actually on top of the situation or has the authority to make decisions.

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I’ve always been the sort of person who generously gives an “A” for effort. In this regard I’m inclined to give Secretary Jericho Petilla an “A” for being the first cabinet member who actually reached out and invited me along with Philippine Star Senior columnists Marichu Villanueva and Boo Chanco to dinner, probably to discuss Department of Energy concerns as well as issues and criticisms we made against him. While this may seem “ordinary” or normal for others, it is the first time in the four years of the Aquino administration that someone reached out to me.

As of the moment the said dinner is still a few hours away and I really don’t know how things will go but I commend Secretary Petilla’s effort because this is something I’ve always taught the students at the Development Academy of the Philippines to do.

Whether in government, the private sector or even in our private lives, it always helps to reach out, build relationships, clarify matters and educate those who don’t fully know or appreciate what is important to you. Fortunately, Petilla is not infected by the “Centralized doctrine” of communication that has worked to the complete disadvantage of the Aquino administration as well as the Philippine government. This I believe explains and validates the President’s frustration about the “Good News” not going out. If all the departments and their PIOs or Public Information officers need permission from the palace, by the time they get clearance the “Good News” is stale or as we say in the business: “PANIS.”  Don’t blame us Mr. President. Blame your miss- communicators.

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The latest hyped story from broadcast media has to do with the road rage incident involving a cab driver and SUV driver with a “gun.” As someone who has worked in tri-media, I can say with confidence that a couple of reporters have intentionally hyped up the story in favor of the cab driver through words and portrayal as the little guy. That they have successfully sensationalized the story for a week in spite of the fact that they were merely basing their stories on an “Internet video” and the version of the cabby, tell us how some media outlets have lost restraint, factual, balanced and professional reporting.

What shocked me was how some PNP officers fell for it all and started talking about charges and sketchy details. What they have is an incomplete investigation but some officers are so keen on being TV that they have jeopardized and sensationalized the case. The one thing about TV and radio is that it can make you look great or downright stupid.

One thing that the road rage incident validates is the need for PNP checkpoints to inspect taxis, jeepneys and cars for bladed weapons, clubs or items that policemen know are generally placed within arms length intended as a weapon. The knife wielding video of the cab driver is not the first one to appear on Facebook and it will certainly not be the last unless the PNP and the LTO starts clamping down on street gladiators.

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I think so and he thought so.

The United Kingdom’s Ambassador to the Philippines Asif Ahmad is probably one of the most visible and popular Ambassador in Philippines at the moment. He has achieved that distinction not by mere charm but hard work and a results oriented management style even under trying times.

Ahmad’s baptism of fire so to speak was when Typhoon Haiyan / Typhoon Yolanda hit the Visayas even without the standard templates for military assistance, Ahmad and his hard working team at the British embassy managed “to launch one of the biggest aid efforts to help the victims of the typhoon.”   

After that the Ambassador and his team got a lot of local attention for putting the “Great Britain” campaign in everybody’s mind as well as by ably and productively assisting the Philippines and Filipinos gain access to the British markets and culture particularly by helping PAL establish their operations in and out of London. According to the ambassador, this effort has resulted in a 30% increase in visitors between London and Manila. In support of this Ahmad proudly declared that 95 to 98 % of visa applications have been approved provided they conform to standards and requirements. In addition to the PAL access, Ahmad also shared that the local brand Emperador has bought up Scotland’s Whyte and Mackay for a whopping P32 billion proving that YES the Filipino can.

But if you think Ambassador Ahmad and his colleagues at the embassy are a bunch of people with nothing but stiff upper lips, you obviously have not seen them perform and sing British rock hits as well as mean version of “BEEP BEEP” from Juan dela Cruz band.

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