Myanmar

Much has been printed in the international press about the Rohingya crisis. Most governments have condemned the atrocities. To date, our government has said nothing except the words of commiseration from our President to Aung San Suu Kyi. US Ambassador Nikki Haley spoke at a UN Security Council and called on the UN Secretary-General to appoint a special envoy to investigate the Myanmar military’s actions in Rakhine State. Haley said the world was watching and waiting for Myanmar to act and asked the government to allow a UN fact-finding mission and special rapporteur into the country. She added that the council must hold the military accountable for their actions and pressure Aung San Suu Kyi to acknowledge the horrific acts taking place in her country. Will our government’s deafening silence continue?

Kuwait

The President’s directive to ban OFWS going to Kuwait is commendable and a specific plan of action should be developed to insure the remaining OFW’s (almost 200,000) are given protection from abusive employers. The effusive statement of support of the President must be tempered to insure constructive dialogue with the Kuwaiti authorities.

Foreign perception

The President’s description of the  country’s top tourist destination as a “cesspool” made the front pages abroad. I agree with his sentiments, but it reminds me of the saying “Don’t cut your nose to spite your face

More often than not, we are keen to sell the Philippines as a nation welcoming tourists and foreign investment. Regrettably, there is a foreign owned resort which has romanticized the Philippines as a “go to place for female partnerships.”  The owner is unapologetic about what he wrote in his webpage:  “Don’t worry if you are an older or overweight gentleman, like half the population of the western world. Women here have the highest respect for age and weight is a plus to some here. Most Filipinas prefer older and mature guys,” the resort’s Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) page said. “Every country has sex tourism. Look at Europe they have areas in every city where you can buy sex legally... Look at the Philippines: Angeles City, Manila and Cebu everywhere and, yes, even here in Siargao. It’s a meat market around the world since existence” said the unrepentant proprietor.  This story was originally reported in Rappler. This approach is a disgusting and condemnable way to promote tourism. Has the Department of Tourism done something about this?

In the area of foreign investment, I received from a friend a duly notarized sworn affidavit complaining about the purchase of a condominium unit in Mandaluyong. The affiant was an Italian subject who paid $45,000 for unit 1408 in Lancaster Atrium. He has requested a refund plus reimbursement of legal fees. The purchase agreement was signed and paid for in 2007. To date, Lancaster Atrium has not been built. There has been no response from the developer who is allegedly Pacific Concord Properties. After more than a decade, I understand he will now refer his case to a lawyer. Shouldn’t the HLURB and other government agencies monitor such scams?

Year of the Dog

In celebration of the Chinese New Year, it would have been a great idea to have a parade of the dogs owned by the residents of the Ayala Avenue apartments from Urdaneta Apartments to Tuscany.  Sadly that cannot happen. My two beagles were stopped by a certain Rhean Teodosio who politely said dogs were not allowed to walk in the area.

He confirmed that his instructions came from Starforce Security, with offices on the third level of Car Park Link.

I would appreciate it if MACEA or Ayala confirm the authority of the security agency to issue such an order. I find such a prohibition insensitive and an affront to pet loving owners. No doubt, many are justifiably aggravated by the fact that dogs befoul the sidewalks.  That can be resolved by asking the apartment managers to come up with a common policy of training the owners and maids to pick up the litter.

Frankly, rules on dog care and behavior is imperative in apartments. I am appealing to the presidents of the condos to insist on the issuance of such regulations by the administration managers. In turn, the security guards should be instructed to enforce compliance. In parks such as the Ayala Triangle, rules are religiously imposed regarding pets and the security guards monitor any violations.  I have suggested that the Urdaneta Apartments manager host a meeting of his peers to learn more about dog care and behavior within the apartments and outside.  I would appreciate comments from dog owners: [email protected].