Juana Change “FIXER” – Familiar?
July 26, 2009 by lisa
Filed under government & politics
I wrote recently that I have been doing some repairs and remodeling for a commercial property in Metro Manila, and for the past decades we have been very good about paying our permits, taxes and complying with whatever old and new requirements the government foists upon its people (e.g. VAT, e-VAT, increase in local tax rates, increase in real estate taxes, mechanical permits, electrical permits, reconstitution of land titles due to a strange fire in city hall, etc.).
Before I left for Bangkok, I was told that to get a permit these days meant Php20,000 to the local government and Php40,000 to the pockets of the people whose salary we already pay to process these permits. When I was adamant about paying the proper fees, the contractor, interior designer and architect were all telling me to pay the “extra” else work would stop and be delayed a few months.
So I said, “I will wait.”
Right before I left, they were begging me to reconsider warning me that, not only would I have to wait, but I would have to pay extra because city hall was going to start requiring me to submit all sorts of extra plans and old permits and basically be harassed with a lot of red tape.
So I said, “I will submit them.”
Then they said, “But it would cost you to prepare updated plans for the old ones and commission new ones to be made!”
So I said, “I will spend to update old plans and have new ones made.”
They said, “But you will lose out on rental income, and income from your new business — lost opportunities!”
So I said, “I am willing to lose them.”
You see, I am a businessman. As a businessman, especially in the Philippines, I can be considered a gambler. By investing, I take all the risks — of losing my capital, of the business not making money, of ruining my reputation if I fail. I take a gamble that I will have enough money to pay my employees, my suppliers, the utitlity companies, the government. I gamble that the economy will get better despite me and because of me.
By not giving in to the offers of fixers, I am also gambling that things will get better because more people might start believing that in this country it is possible to do business right and still make money.
By doing things right, I am gambling that the Philippines will get better, and that any losses I may experience will be worth it in the long run. And boy, is it a risk I am willing to take.
Oh, please do not think I am being self-righteous here for I have been using all my knowledge of the law and human nature in the past to work around things. All I am saying is that it all stops now, it all starts now.
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Above is what I consider to be one of the best Juana Change videos entitled “FIXER.” I am sure that those of you who have had dealings with people working in the government will find everything therein oh so familiar.
I have posted two earlier Juana Change videos called “Baligtaran” and “Cha-Cha” and promise to include a whole lot more and pray that Mae Paner and her team be in good health and continue on their noble work of helping transform the hearts and minds of the Filipino people through the Juana Change series of videos.
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Greetings from Bangkok, where the people LOVE their king, where there is heavy traffic but little need for traffic enforcers. Will be back in the Philippines in a few days, and guess what, I get homesick fast. Can’t stand to be away for long periods of time. One week is always too long already.
We just...
Come home ! The crap (tomorrow’s sona) and your crepe …awaits you.
Hey Jim,
But I am busy saying “hello” to Buddha for you in all the temples all over Bangkok and Ayutthaya! And tomorrow, my sister and I will go on a 25km bike tour (if it doesn’t rain) so I can tell you guys all about it and maybe Baguio can offer the same!
Will be here about 30 more hours, then Manila, then check the renovations including the permits, then Baguio. Can’t wait to go to Bliss Cafe (which is now the first restaurant I always “hit” upon getting home).
See you soon!
Hello Lisa,
Magandang Araw and maraming salamat, I enjoyed watching Ms. Paners Juana Change Video’s,Cha-Cha and The Fixer “Shes brilliant”, the message is subtle, strong, forceful, the choreography is incredible, well the whole Production really is a class act. I wish all Filipinos will get a chance to view it.
Watching the Video gave me a Jolt of reality and gave me a chance to reflect on how we have evolved into our current dilemma, what a mess, we have created for ourselves and for future generations of Filipinos.
I wonder if it is true if we really have corruption in our Blood? its a disease like Cancer, incurable as it may seem, just maybe a Miracle may occur or perhaps Divine Intervention after all a majority of us Filipinos believe in Miracles…….
Your current experience in your recent Building renovations remind me of my inquiries at a Philippines Consular Office,(let’s just say in North America) pencil pushing beurocrats waiting for a ……….
It was disappointing, I would have thought that inquiries on establishing a Manufacturing Facility in the islands would have been more welcoming.
Perhaps my name was too Filipino when I inquired, if I introduced myself with an American name or perhaps Japanese, maybe Korean now, I would have had more co-operation.$$$$$ dollar signs lighting-up
Ow, shucks you gambler you, what are the odds ? that the Philippines getting better?, if Vegas sets the odd on a thousand to one or higher, perhaps Id bet the Farm, im quite sure i’d be rolling in the dough… of course that is with divine intervention…..Like the Fixer , she says’ Brother! we have to believe……
Enjoy your hoidays…………..
Hi Gerardo,
“Perhaps my name was too Filipino when I inquired, if I introduced myself with an American name or perhaps Japanese, maybe Korean now, I would have had more co-operation.$$$$$ dollar signs lighting-up”
It seems that for many of the people working for the Philippine government, when there is nothing in it for them personally they are not all too interested. As in, they are not interested to do the job they were hired for. If you had a foreign sounding name, yup, “easier to victimize.”
I have had many complaints from foreign investors about how there is so much red tape, and each step becomes an opportunity for extortion. No wonder few people want to invest here.
A couple of months ago, I was conversing with a cousin of mine connected with the Board of Investments, and he was telling me about the research they do regarding issues with foreign investments so they can be solved. I told him that maybe they should do a study also of why there are Filipinos like other members of my family who refuse to invest anymore in businesses (that would mean the creation of jobs) and instead rely on passive income (like rentals).
They will find that the major problem would be government policies and practices, including labor issues that are resolved not on the merits of the case but are instead based on how much each party is willing to pay the labor arbiters.
Everyone must recognize that there is a problem, and what the causes of these problems are so we can start finding solutions. And yes, we must BELIEVE that this idiocy will end in our lifetime.