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Alturas group to invest P25B in Panglao estate

PANGLAO, BOHOL — The tourism arm of Bohol-based Alturas group of companies is building an integrated mixed-use resort estate in which it plans to invest P25 billion for the initial phase.

The development, called Panglao Shores, will rise in a 50-hectare property and will be developed by the family-owned Panglao Bay Premiere Parks and Resorts Corp.

“I envision this to be an integrated community where people would like to live in,” said Hope Marie R. Uy, managing director of South Palms Resorts and Panglao Shores, during the press launch of Panglao Shores on Thursday.

Panglao Shores will have more than 1,000 residential units, six hotels and resorts, 37,000-square-meter retail and commercial area, and a medical facility.

Ms. Uy said the project has received help from international and local designers and experts in making the development sustainable. Most of these partners are companies from Singapore especially for the development’s architectural design, sustainability strategies, landscaping, interior designers and technology-based consultants.

“It was a group that did all of these,” Ms. Uy said.

The project’s major consultant is C9 Hotelworks, which is a hospitality and property consultancy service provider that has also worked with well-known developers.

“We chose to work with Panglao Shores because we liked the project. We are a small group so we can choose our clients,” C9 Hotelworks Managing Director Bill Barnett said on the sidelines of the launch.

“We have expertise in the Philippines but I think this is a project that we are going to love. We started on a one-month engagement and we are here five years later,” Mr. Barnett added.

“Bill has seen how Phuket has developed, how Bali has developed. That was a best choice for us to have someone internationally aware of how masterplans pave the way,” Ms. Uy said.

The development of Panglao Shores is also aimed to answer the growing demand for accommodations and hotel services in Panglao.

“The opportunity of this beautiful beachfront needs to be maximized. I believe in the Philippines even globally, people would like to live in a community like this,” Ms. Uy.

“When we started to plan this, we did careful feasibility studies for us to see the demand. We saw the opportunity and we were guided by these studies on what to expect and what would be next,” she added.

Early next year, the company expects to complete its first hotel within the mixed-use estate, which according to Ms. Uy will be managed by an international company she did not disclose.

The first hotel is the expansion of the existing South Palms Resort, also located in Panglao, and will have 188 rooms inside a six-hectare property. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

Influential rock guitarist Jeff Beck, 78

ROCK guitarist Jeff Beck — SIMON FERNANDEZ/ EN.WIKIPEDIA.ORG

JEFF BECK, the influential, genre-bending English guitarist who rose to fame with The Yardbirds before later embarking on a solo career, has died at the age of 78, his family announced on social media on Wednesday.

He passed away peacefully on Tuesday after suddenly contracting bacterial meningitis, the family said.

Mr. Beck is a two-time Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee — in 1992 for his work with The Yardbirds and as a solo performer in 2009. In 2015, Rolling Stone magazine ranked Beck as the fifth greatest guitarist of all time, one spot ahead of blues icon B.B. King.

In 2022, Mr. Beck released his final album: 18, a 13-track collection of mostly cover songs, with Hollywood star Johnny Depp.

“We slowly built songs that we just like. We didn’t really make any design,” Mr. Beck said at the time.

A native of Wallington, England, Beck won his first Grammy award in 1985 with the instrumental “Escape.” He would go on to win seven more of the gold-plated statuettes in his career.

Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi mourned Mr. Beck’s death on Twitter, saying he was shocked to hear of his passing. “Jeff was such a nice person and an outstanding iconic, genius guitar player — there will never be another Jeff Beck,” Mr. Iommi wrote. “His playing was very special and distinctively brilliant! He will be missed.”

Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page, also a former Yardbirds member, paid tribute to Mr. Beck, saying his technique was unique and imagination limitless.

“The six stringed Warrior is no longer here for us to admire the spell he could weave around our mortal emotions. Jeff could channel music from the ethereal,” he said. “Jeff, I will miss you along with your millions of fans.” — Reuters

CTA rejects geothermal firm’s P13.6-million refund claim

CTA.JUDICIARY.GOV.PH

THE Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) has denied Philippine Geothermal Production Co., Inc.’s (PGPCI) refund claim worth P13.62 million representing its excess input taxes traced to zero-rated sales for the 2015 fiscal year.

In a decision dated Jan. 9 and made public on Jan. 11, the CTA full court said that it did not commit an error in granting a reduced value-added tax (VAT) refund amount of P10.03 million in 2020.

“As a claim for refund, [it] must establish its claim by quantum of evidence and not by assumption,” Associate Justice Erlinda P. Uy said in the ruling.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) partially granted PGPCI’s claim in the amount of P3.59 million, which prompted the appeal.

The firm argued that the CTA made an error in deducting the amount approved by the BIR from its original refund claim, which the court disagreed with.

The court said it had already thoroughly considered and evaluated the entire refund claim when assessing the eligibility for zero-rated sales.

Under the law, taxpayers that engage in transactions with foreign corporations doing business outside the Philippines are entitled to zero-rated sales that do not translate to output tax.

The term “zero-rated sale” must be written on the company’s official invoices

The CTA also denied the commissioner of internal revenue’s (CIR) petition to dismiss the overturn of its decision to refund P10.03 million.

The CIR argued that PGPCI did not prove that its taxes were “creditable and directly attributable” to its products. It also said the firm did not present a certificate of endorsement from the Department of Energy (DoE) to qualify for tax refunds.

The tax tribunal noted that input tax receipts do not have to always be directly attributable to a taxpayer’s final products.

“Hence it is not required that the claimed input tax be directly attributable to zero-rated sales in order to be creditable.”

Citing the DoE’s rules, the court said a taxpayer does not need to submit a certificate of endorsement to qualify for zero-rated taxes.

It said an endorsement certificate is only required for incentives such as the exemption from tariff duties on the importation of machinery and the sale or transfer of other equipment.

“Thus, the Court in Division was correct in ruling that PGPCI would still be able to avail of a zero-percent VAT rate regardless of its procurement of the certificate of endorsement,” it said. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

SC affirms ruling denying seafarer disability claim

STOCK PHOTO | Image by iliastefanidis30 from Pixabay

THE Supreme Court (SC) affirmed an appeals court decision to deny a seafarer’s permanent disability claim worth $60,000, saying the claim was filed prematurely.

In a nine-page resolution made public on Jan. 6, the tribunal said Edward Caranto filed for permanent disability in 2014 before the treatment period for a swollen right foot ended.

“It was only after the filing of his complaint in court that he sought the opinion of his physician of choice,” it said in the ruling.

The tribunal noted that even if the personal doctor deemed him unfit to return to duty, he did not obtain an assessment from a company-approved doctor.

Under the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency’s rules, an injured worker has a treatment period of 240 days if a company-approved physician fails to give an assessment of the injury sustained.

Only a physician chosen by the employer has the authority to determine if a worker sustained permanent disability during employment.

Seafarers may also consult their own physician for a second opinion, and a third in case of conflicting assessments between the two doctors.

Mr. Caranto sustained the injury after falling into a sewer while performing his duties.

He underwent surgery and multiple physical therapy sessions. An orthopedic specialist had deemed him unfit to return to sea duty.

The seafarer then filed a claim with the labor arbiter, which ordered Seacrest Maritime Management, Inc., his employer, to pay him $60,000 in disability benefits and plus legal fees.

Seacrest appealed the decision to the National Labor Relations Commission, which affirmed the benefits.

However, the Court of Appeals reduced the amount awarded to Mr. Caranto to P26,477, finding that he was only entitled to unpaid sickness allowance because he filed the claim before permanent disability could be determined.

“Clearly then, petitioner had no cause of action to support his claim for total and permanent disability,” the SC said.

“So, even if his orthopedic specialist found petitioner unfit to return to sea duty, the lack of a previous assessment from the company-designated physician, coupled with petitioner’s belated consultation with his choice of physician, denied him the right to seek a total disability claim with this court.” — John Victor D. Ordoñez

Stuff to do (01/13/23)

Postponed Bernadas concert pushes through

THE FINAL concert in the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Triple Threats series, featuring Popper Bernadas, which was originally scheduled for last December, will push through on Jan. 14, 7:30 p.m., at the cultural center’s Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (Black Box Theater). Mr. Bernadas will perform songs from original Filipino musicals, OPM, and his original compositions. For concert tickets, visit https://premier.ticketworld.com.ph/shows/show.aspx?sh=TRIPLET322

Instituto Cervantes holds discussion on art

INSTITUTO Cervantes will be hosting the round table discussion “Let’s Talk About Art” on Jan. 15, 2 p.m., in the Intramuros branch of Instituto Cervantes at Calle Real, Plaza San Luis, Intramuros. Participating in the discussion are Filipina artist Phyllis Zaballero, art collector and connoisseur Jaime Laya, and former Secretary of Tourism Gemma Cruz Araneta. The event’s moderator will be Instituto Cervantes’ director Javier Galván. Prior to the discussion, there will be a tour of the exhibit “Fondly Remembering Spain,” also organized by Instituto Cervantes, which features Ms. Zaballero’s paintings. The discussion will begin with these paintings before delving into Philippine art and Contemporary art. Admission is free. To confirm attendance, e-mail to cenmni@cervantes.es. For further information, visit Instituto Cervantes’ Facebook page (InstitutoCervantesManila) or Instagram (institutocervantesmanila).

Araneta City holds Grand Clearance Sale

Araneta City is holding its Grand Clearance Sale until Jan. 15, with discounts of up to 70% on clothing, footwear, appliances, home decor, and more. Stores at the Gateway Mall, Ali Mall, Farmers Plaza, and SM Araneta City are participating in the Grand Clearance Sale. In addition to the discounts, every ₱2,000 single or accumulated receipt purchase from any Araneta City establishment will entitle a customer to one free Araneta City calendar. Present receipts at redemption booths situated at the Gateway Activity Area, Food Express, Gateway Mall Concierge, Ali Mall Concierge, and Farmers Plaza Concierge to claim the calendar. Customers also still have a chance to win a Geely Okavango, a seven-seater Mild Hybrid SUV, with Araneta City’s “Dream Ride Like No Other” Christmas car promo. Earn a raffle entry through any of the following: single receipt purchase worth ₱1,000 from any Araneta City establishment (including Novotel Manila Araneta City), up to four accumulated receipts worth ₱250 from Araneta City food courts or Dampa, four Gateway Cineplex tickets, or a single or accumulated receipt purchase worth ₱2,000 of Petron products. Present the proof of purchase at the Gateway Mall Concierge, Gateway Mall Activity Area, Gateway Mall Food Express, Ali Mall Concierge, or Farmers Plaza Concierge until Feb. 5 to qualify for the raffle. Customers also get double e-raffle entries on purchases and e-raffle stub redemptions made from Jan. 13 to 15. Visitors will also receive Coca-Cola collectibles with any meal at Food Express, Food Gallery, Food Plaza, and at the Dampa at Farmers Market as part of the On-The-Go Christmas Treats foodcourts and Dampa promo. Just present ₱350 in single or accumulated receipt purchase that includes any Coca-Cola product from any Araneta City food court to get the Coke merchandise. The promo will also end on Jan. 15.

Converge backs Wilcon Depot in digital retailing

CONVERGE ICT Solutions, Inc. announced on Thursday its partnership with construction supplies and home improvement retailer Wilcon Depot, Inc. as the latter navigates the digital retailing model.

“In order to adapt to the new working environment and innovate towards a more digital retailing model, Wilcon Depot partnered with Converge ICT Solutions, Inc. with their enterprise-grade product, Direct Internet Access (DIA), which allows them to have a dedicated and secured internet service,” Converge said in an e-mailed statement.

Converge said its DIA enables a well-orchestrated operational process of virtual video conferences among departments, comprehensive data sharing, and coordinated logistical communication.

“Converge remains committed to supporting businesses as they adapt to new operating models to improve efficiency and increase productivity,” Converge Chief Operating Officer Jesus C. Romero said.

The company noted that it has been providing retail businesses such as Wilcon Depot with enterprise-grade fiber solutions.

“For the majority of its branches, Wilcon Depot is currently subscribed to the Converge iBiz product, a pure fiber internet plan created to provide businesses with quality connections at an affordable cost,” Converge noted.

“As the company evolves and expands with an increasing need for more bandwidth, they are hand in hand with Converge as they transition from iBiz to flexiBIZ—a business-grade connectivity solution designed for maximum efficiency during daytime business peak hours,” it added.

Wilcon Depot President and Chief Executive Officer Lorraine Belo-Cincochan said: “The IT infrastructure is very important to any growing company. Especially for us as a retailer, we need data very quickly. We need the data to be consolidated back at our head office.”

In a related development, Converge previously said that it had received the go-signal from the Singapore government to provide internet connectivity in that country, strengthening its international business.

Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority, through its grant letter, said that it had approved the application of the firm’s subsidiary Converge ICT Singapore Pte. Ltd. for a facilities-based operations license.

With the approval, which took effect on Jan. 3, 2022, the internet provider will be able to build infrastructure in Singapore and provide international connectivity services. — Arjay L. Balinbin

Manila jumps in 2023 list of top real estate investment destinations

Manila rose five notches to 16th out of 22 cities in the latest edition of Emerging Trends in Real Estate Asia Pacific report by Urban Land Institute and PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Manila jumps in 2023 list of top real estate investment destinations

Entertainment News (01/13/23)

GMA’s Lolong to air in Indonesia this January

GMA Network’s fantasy TV show Lolong is set to air on Indonesia’s free-to-air TV network ANTV under the name Dakkila. Lolong is the first Filipino title acquired by ANTV, one of Indonesia’s major TV networks which reaches 130 million people in 155 cities. According to ANTV, the GMA Public Affairs-produced series perfectly fits the Indonesian TV audience’s taste for the fantasy genre as their viewers enjoy shows featuring special animal characters or mythical creatures. Lolong tells the tale of a man’s extraordinary friendship with a giant crocodile. It stars Ruru Madrid, Shaira Diaz, Arra San Agustin, Christopher de Leon, Jean Garcia, Bembol Roco, Malou de Guzman, Rochelle Pangilinan, Paul Salas, Marco Alcaraz, Mikoy Morales, and Maui Taylor. Directed by Rommel Penesa and Conrado Peru, the series was conceived by broadcast journalist Jessica Soho and Assistant Vice-President for GMA Public Affairs LJ Castel.

OPM bands concert at Newport World Resorts

NEWPORT World Resorts opens the year with legendary OPM bands in a two-night concert series, Musiko: Timeless Pinoy Bands. The concerts will see back-to-back performances by Itchyworms and Rocksteddy on Jan. 20, and South Border and Neocolours on Jan. 21 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater. Both shows are at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at all TicketWorld and SM Tickets outlets, prices range from P900 to P6,500. For inquiries, contact the Newport World Resorts National Sales Team at 0917-658-9378, 0917-823-9602, and 0917-872-8309, or call Ticketworld (8891-9999) or SM Tickets (8470-2222).   

2023 Japan Film fest returns onsite

AFTER two editions were held online due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, the Japan Foundation, Manila brings back on-site screenings of the Japanese Film Festival (JFF). This year it will feature 10 award-winning full-length films in various venues around the country. The JFF will start screening films at the Shangri-la Plaza in Mandaluyong City on Jan. 22 to Feb. 3. There will be simultaneous screenings at SM City Baguio, SM Seaside Cebu, SM City Davao from Jan. 27 to 31, followed by showings at the Cinematheque Manila, Cinematheque Negros, Cinematheque Iloilo, Cinematheque Davao, and Cinematheque Nabunturan on Jan. 28 and 29.; and UP Cine Adarna (Quezon City) from Feb. 17 to 22. The festival opens with Belle, an animated film by director Hosada Mamoru, featuring the voices of Nakamura Kaho and Satoh Takeru. Tickets are priced at P100 per screening. Follow Japanese Film Festival on its official Facebook accounts (facebook.com/japanesefilmfestPH) for more information and the complete screening schedule.

Music festival brings together OPM, EDM artists

OPM and EDM artists come together on Jan. 21 at Circuit Events Ground, Makati for the Howlers Manila music festival, 3 p.m. to 1 a.m. OPM groups Bamboo, Gloc-9, Shanti Dope, Mayonnaise, Magnus Haven, Nik Makino, and Ron Henley will be joined by EDM favorites DJ Ace Ramos, Patty Tiu, Marc Marasigan, Katsy Lee, Xfactor, Manila BombSquad, MC Ronthug, MC DM, and MC Blain. Wear a costume for a chance to win P90,000. Aside from the musical performances, the festival will feature a number of other activities such as the Haunted Maze, BMX and Skateboard demonstrations, Battle of the Bands, and a RollerBlades Competition. For tickets, visit https://premier.ticketworld.com.ph/. 

Former Iligan mayor fined over breach of civil service rules

BW FILE PHOTO

THE Supreme Court (SC) ruled that a former mayor of Iligan City violated civil service rules following a complaint filed by a city engineer that he ordered transferred.

In a 12-page decision, the SC Second Division found that former Iligan Mayor Lawrence Lluch-Cruz improperly put the city engineer on floating status.

“It bears emphasis that the argument of Robert L. Ong, that his reassignment to the city veterinarian’s office placed him on floating status because he was not given any work thereat has not been controverted,” Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen said in the ruling.

Mr. Lluch-Cruz was ordered to pay a fine equivalent to four months’ salary as mayor.

Under Civil Service Commission rules, workers are protected from “acts of cruelty, severity or excessive use of authority (that cause) injury.”

Mr. Ong, a licensed mechanical engineer employed by the city, claimed the reassignment was effectively constructive dismissal since the veterinary office was not part of the city’s organizational structure and that he lacked responsibilities in his new role.

The slaughterhouse where he was posted to was also a separate organization from the city veterinarian’s office.

In 2011, the Civil Service Commission ruled that Mr. Ong’s reassignment order placed the engineer on floating status and violated its reassignment guidelines.

The Ombudsman and the Court of Appeals affirmed the ruling and said the reassignment was not made in good faith.

Mr. Lluch-Cruz argued that the city initially intended to rehabilitate the slaughterhouse. He added that the Ombudsman did not conduct its own probe and only relied on the Civil Service Commission’s conclusions.

The tribunal dismissed this argument, ruling that the Ombudsman was correct to rely on the Civil Service Commission’s findings in determining abuse of authority.

“Clearly, petitioner exercised excessive use of authority to be able to oppress respondent in retaliation for the complaints respondent filed against him,” it said. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

Regulator targets decision on Grab PHL’s ‘surge pricing’ in Feb.

REUTERS

THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) announced on Thursday that it targets to issue a decision on Grab Philippines’ “surge pricing” mechanism by February.

“The LTFRB has given Grab Philippines five days to submit data on the number of times they charged a minimum base fare of P85 for short trips,” the agency said in a statement.

The agency conducted the last hearing on the matter on Thursday.

“There will be no more hearing on this issue. We have already asked them to submit their position paper and that’s when we will come up with a decision,” LTFRB Chairman Teofilo E. Guadiz III  said during the hearing on the “surge price” issue on fares.

He said the decision may be issued by the first week of February.

“There is a need to set parameters and the setting of ‘surge’ prices should not be dependent on one company alone or on the supply and demand,” according to the agency.

The LTFRB previously approved the fare hike for several modes of public transport including transport network vehicle services or TNVS.

“The minimum fare for… Sedan-type TNVS will be P45, while AUV/SUV-type TNVS will be at P55. For hatchback-type TNVS, flagdown rate will be P35. There will be no increase in the succeeding kilometers,” the LTFRB said in a statement in September last year.

LTFRB’s Mr. Guadiz said: “What we intend to do now is to put up parameters, that only one entity can set the pricing. While it is true that the party has the mechanism, it is still the government that exercises regulatory functions and defines when they can impose an increase.”

“What we would like to establish is what time can they impose an increase and in what areas they can make the increase,” he added.

Sought for comment, Grab Philippines said: “We respect the LTFRB’s view on Grab’s surge pricing mechanism.”

“We believe that further regulating surge pricing beyond caps/existing regulation must be approached very carefully to protect and support all transport stakeholders, including the riding public. We are one with the LTFRB in providing our commuters with a safe, reliable, and cost-effective means of transportation, and we will review this matter directly with our regulators,” it added.

In a Jan. 6 statement, Grab Philippines said that it had experienced a shortage of driver-partners in its platform due to a “mobility standstill.”

The LTFRB has said that it would open 4,433 slots for the application of TNVS. — Arjay L. Balinbin

American Express partners with BDO to launch travel rewards card in PHL

AMERICAN EXPRESS Co. has partnered with BDO Unibank, Inc. to launch its travel rewards credit card in the Philippines amid a rebound in related spending following the decline seen during the coronavirus pandemic.

“We have seen substantial growth in travel-related spending among our American Express card members. In 2022, airline ticket purchase alone has increased exponentially versus the previous year. With the return of consumer confidence in travel, the American Express Explorer Credit Card is a timely addition to our extensive lineup of credit card products with our partner American Express,” BDO Senior Executive Vice-President and Consumer Banking Group Head Rolando C. Tanchanco said in a statement on Thursday.

“Our American Express Explorer Credit Card launched in partnership with BDO gives our card members in the Philippines, whether they are traveling solo, with family or with friends, the ability to earn rewards and travel for less, while doing what they are passionate about,” American Express SouthEast Asia and South Pacific Global Network Services Vice-President and General Manager Sanjiv Malhotra added.

American Express first introduced the Explorer Card in Australia in 2016 and then in Hong Kong in 2021.

The Philippines is the first country in Southeast Asia where they launched this product, American Express said.

The credit card product rewards holders with American Express’ Membership Rewards points that do not expire, the two banks said.

Every P40 spent using the card will be equivalent to one Membership Rewards point. Each point can be redeemed for one mile at six frequent flyer partners: Mabuhay Miles (Philippine Airlines), KrisFlyer (Singapore Airlines), Cathay Membership (Cathay Pacific Airlines), Royal Orchid Plus (Thai Airways), Enrich (Malaysia Airlines), and Delta SkyMiles (Delta Airlines).

These points can also be converted to hotel loyalty points from Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors.

The Explorer Card has no point conversion fee, they said. The card will also give accountholders 2,000 bonus Membership Rewards points if they spend P600,000 in a year.

The banks said that no annual fee will be charged from card members for the first year of use. The annual fee will also be waived if cardholders spend P450,000 per year.

Cardholders can also avail of up to P10 million in travel accident and inconvenience coverage as well as other benefits such as year-round deals, rebate or cashback, and savings from BDO partner merchants.

BDO’s net income increased 23.46% year on year to P40 billion in the third quarter of 2022.

The listed local bank’s shares went up by P4.10 or 3.73% to close at P114 apiece on Thursday. — A.M.C. Sy

Worker with special skills has poor attendance record

Nestor (not his real name) is a 31-year-old worker with a unique skill set that our organization needs. He has been with us for 10 years, having joined us straight from graduation. Unfortunately, he is habitually late and a frequent absentee who knows how to avoid being penalized for it.  He knows the limit for maximum allowable absences and tardiness and takes care never to exceed it. When in the office, he produces the highest quality and exceeds the daily production target about 75% of the time. He is difficult to hire a replacement for given the special qualifications required for his position, which he learned from us. Technically, Nestor can’t be disciplined but his poor attendance record is disrupting our operations. What’s the cure? — Golden Bridge.

Nestor may be testing the waters. He knows he’s indispensable because of his special skills and is exploring the limits of management. If he’s already receiving above-average pay and perks, I suspect he wants to take the fast track to promotion.

When you say he’s a “worker,” I assume he’s not yet part of management. If that’s the case, then a promotion may be in order as most people get promoted in three to five years after displaying consistent high performance. But you can’t do that given his bad attendance record, which may have delayed his promotion.

I’d like to believe that Nestor likes the company culture and work atmosphere, which may not be present in some organizations he’s looking to join in your industry or elsewhere. But he’s at a disadvantage because of the 10-year service record without being promoted, which could be questioned by his prospective employer when he applies for a job.

We’re speculating here. The best approach is to discover the circumstances behind Nestor’s poor attendance record. Check the history of his absences in the past two or three years. Is there a pattern?  What are the reasons for his unscheduled leaves and tardiness? Is he an alcoholic or a closet drug addict? What are his hobbies? Does he frequent the casino or other places of ill repute?

The answers could suggest a cure.

NEXT STEP
Your next step would be to have an engagement dialogue with Nestor. Tell him that his less-than-stellar attendance record is disrupting company operations. Show him the monetary losses that your company must absorb whenever he’s absent.

But you need to be diplomatic about it. It is helpful to soften the impact of your concerns.

Nestor may appear to be the most talented worker in your organization, but that should not be taken as license for him to disrupt operations. An engagement dialogue becomes more effective if you approach it with an open mind, whatever reasons Nestor may give. In other words, don’t come out with guns blazing.

Remember that replacing Nestor will be difficult given his special skills. If he resigns, it will take some time before you can find and train a replacement — the training alone could take years. In the dialogue, try asking him open-ended questions, starting with the standard Filipino icebreakers like:

Kumain ka na ba? (Have you eaten?) Would you like to have coffee? If the answer is in the affirmative, try again. If you’re rejected, try other approaches like talking to him in the elevator, hallway, or common area. Create an opportunity to talk about a certain neutral subject.

An opening could eventually emerge for a casual, heart-to-heart talk. Once that happens, put him at ease with non-intimidating questions like “how are you doing?”

OTHER SOLUTIONS
One of the possibilities in dealing with an employee like Nestor is repeated failure to get your message across. He may feel beaten down to the point of becoming resentful and difficult to manage. If you think that is likely, you may resort to a corporate-wide solution applicable to all workers who are similarly situated.

One, offer a flextime work arrangement. This means allowing people to adopt a flexible work schedule with a performance target to be completed no later than 6 p.m. every day. Depending on the complexity of each job, performance measurements must be done daily, subject to the condition that all workers be present during the core hours of 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Two, allow people to work from home. This saves the worker and management a lot. The worker will not need to endure daily commuting. The organization can save a lot of money in terms of utilities, maintenance, and security costs. Note that this may not apply to all kinds of work.

Last, be ready to discover and develop other talent. You don’t have to have a full-blown business continuity plan, which identifies internal potential successors in case Nestor submits an irrevocable resignation. If and when he does, don’t negotiate by offering a “merit” increase or promotion.

 

Chat your workplace questions to Rey Elbo on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter or e-mail to elbonomics@gmail.com or via https://reyelbo.com

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