THE TRANSPORTATION department said Thursday that Oriental Mindoro’s Port of Calapan passenger terminal building, which is currently being expanded to accommodate 3,500 passengers at any given time from the cur-rent 800, will be the biggest in the country once completed in the first quarter of 2022.
“Once the ongoing expansion of the passenger terminal building of the Calapan Port in Oriental Mindoro is complete, it will be the biggest port passenger terminal to date as it can accommodate 3,500 passengers at any given time,” Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade said in a statement.
“This will form part of the 484 port projects completed by the (Department of Transportation, or DoTr) and PPA (Philippine Ports Authority) since July 2016,” he added.
The current biggest passenger terminal building is that of Cagayan de Oro, with a capacity of 3,000 passengers at any given time.
Government officials, including Mr. Tugade, unveiled Tuesday eight port projects in the provinces of Occidental and Oriental Mindoro.
The DoTr said the improved and expanded seaports include the Port of Abra de Ilog in Occidental Mindoro.
Seaport projects unveiled in Oriental Mindoro include the Ports of Calapan, Balatero, Bansud, Bulalacao, Mansalay, and Roxas.
“The simultaneous inaugurations of the seaports pave the way for business and employment opportunities for Filipinos. The upgraded seaports will also improve inter-island travel as well as the movement of essential goods between Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro and neighboring provinces,” the DoTr said. — Arjay L. Balinbin
BANGKO SENTRAL NG PILIPINAS GOVERNOR BENJAMIN E. DIOKNO — PHILIPPINE STAR/ GEREMY PINTOLO
THE CENTRAL BANK has approved 17 bank mergers since 2019 to improve the industry’s resilience and financial stability.
“From 2019 to the present, the BSP has approved a total of 17 mergers, three consolidations, and one acquisition,” Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin E. Diokno said at a forum held in Boracay on Thursday.
“As to the approved consolidations, two were consolidated under the program for rural banks,” he added.
The central bank chief said they are currently reviewing four mergers, two consolidations and one acquisition in the industry.
Mr. Diokno said while there is no ideal number of participants in the banking sector, the BSP’s focus is to maintain financial stability and has long advocated for mergers, consolidations, and acquisitions among banks.
“This is to foster…stronger and more resilient banking institutions that are adapting to ever-changing financial environments,” Mr. Diokno said.
“Mergers, consolidations and acquisitions result in banking institutions with higher capitalization, better economies of scale and wider market reach,” he added.
Earlier this month, financial regulators agreed to simplify the process for mergers, consolidations, and acquisitions. Under the agreement, these will now be processed within 55 business days from about 160 business days pre-viously.
As of end-September, the cumulative net income of the banking system rose by 35% year on year to P168.213 billion, based on BSP data.
The banking industry’s assets increased by 7.2% year on year to P20.079 trillion as of end-September. — L.W.T. Noble
Stephen Lang (left) and Adam Young in Screen Gems DON'T BREATHE 2.
Spencer
Kristen Stewart in Spencer (2021) via imdb.com
In December 1991, the British royal family prepares to spend the Christmas holidays at the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk. Among the attendees is Diana, Princess of Wales, whose marriage to Prince Charles has become strained due to his affair with Camilla Parker-Bowles. During the weekend, there’s eating and drinking, shooting, and hunting. However, things are different for Princess Diana that year. The film presents what might have happened in the three-day weekend in the queen’s estate. Directed by Pablo Larrain, it stars Kristen Stewart as Princess Diana, Sally Hawkins, Jack Farthing, Timothy Spall, and Jack Nielen. Entertainment Weekly’s Mary Sollosi writes, “For all of Larraín’s artistry, Spencer would crumble in the hands of the wrong actress, and Stewart gives one of the best performances of her career so far as this highly subjective version of Diana. Physically, she’s the perfect almost-match; not so unlike the princess that it’s distracting to see her in the role, but not such a vivid doppelganger that her image seems to claim total verisimilitude for the film as a whole.” Rotten Tomatoes gives the film a score of 84%, while its audience score is 50%.
MTRCB Rating: PG
Don’t Breathe 2
Stephen Lang (left) and Adam Young in Screen Gems DON’T BREATHE 2.
Eight years have passed since the events in the first thriller. Norman Nordstrom has recreated the family stolen from him and found some twisted justice. When intruders once again come to his home focused on his 11-year-old daughter, Norman reveals for a second time what’s hidden inside him, in new and unexpected ways. Directed by Rodo Sayagues, the stars Stephen Lang, Brendan Sexton III, Madelyn Grace, Adam Young, Bobby Schofield, and Rocci Williams. Vulture’s Alison Willmore writes, “The sequel is even more of a stress test for automatic audience identification with a protagonist. Norman is protective of Phoenix, but also caves someone’s face in with a shovel while the girl looks on, screaming for him to stop. Norman cries over his dog, and also superglues someone’s mouth and nose so that they can’t breathe. The brutal gratification of Don’t Breathe 2 comes from watching Norman do to the gang what he did in Don’t Breathe, only this time, with characters who deserve it. If they deserve it.” Rotten Tomatoes gives the film a score of 45%, while the audience gives it 85%.
MTRCB Rating: R-16
Black Widow
Black Widow via imdb.com
Avenger Natasha Romanoff (Black Widow) rounds up her family of superspies when a conspiracy that’s tied to her past arises. This pits her against Taskmaster, a masked assassin who can imitate Natasha’s movements as well as the other Avengers. Directed by Cate Shortland, the film stars Scarlett Johansson, Florence Pugh, Rachel Weisz, and David Harbour. RogerEbert.com’s Brian Tallerico writes, “Director Cate Shortland’s movie confirms that Black Widow could have carried her own flick ages ago. There’s enough character, back story, and intrigue in her world for a whole series. A lot of movies in 2021 have felt a bit different because of their existence in a post-COVID world, but for all of these reasons, Black Widow feels distinctly like a pre-COVID product, a dip into the history of one of Marvel’s most popular characters that’s truly better so very late than never.” Rotten Tomatoes gives it a score of 79%, while its audience is 91%.
THE Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA), an organization of small fishermen, said the government needs to provide aid to small fisherfolk during the three-month closed fishing season in the Visayan Sea.
Fernando L. Hicap, PAMALAKAYA chairman, said that the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) needs to disburse P10,000 per family for each month of the closed season.
Fishing was closed in those waters between Nov. 15 and Feb. 15, covering species such as sardines, herring, and mackerel.
“That’s a total of P30,000 per fishing family for three months. The economic subsidy is just and a must for the fisherfolk whose livelihood will be heavily affected by the closed season. This cash subsidy will (make up for) the poten-tial income losses of small fisherfolk across the Visayan Sea,” Mr. Hicap said in a statement Wednesday.
“A three-month closed season is three months of starvation for the affected fisherfolk. The closed season even covers the holiday season, which is supposed to be the season of giving, yet fishers will be deprived of their liveli-hood,” he added.
PAMALAKAYA said the BFAR needs to come up with a list of fishing families potentially eligible for benefits.
“Small fisherfolk from at least 33 municipalities from Regions 5, 6, and 7, are adversely affected (during the) three-month fishing ban,” it said.
“The economic subsidy is based on the Makabayan Bloc’s House Bill calling (for) a P10,000 aid to poor families affected by the pandemic,” it added.
The organization has warned that closed seasons risk creating “artificial” shortages that would raise inflation.
The BFAR also declared a closed fishing season in Northern Palawan between Nov. 1 and Jan. 31, covering round scad, or galunggong.
The Department of Agriculture has approved imports of 60,000 metric tons of small pelagic fish such as galunggong in order to make up for lost supply. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave
ONE Meralco, the group of companies led by Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), is allocating an estimated P76 billion for renewable energy projects to transition to cleaner energy in 10 years.
Jaime T. Azurin, president and chief executive officer of Meralco unit Meralco PowerGen Corp. (MGen), made the statement in his speech at the Conference of the Electric Power Supply Industry (CEPSI) 2021 on Thursday.
“With an estimated capital requirement of around P76 billion, sustainability in power generation needs board attention and full commitment to support [this] huge capital investment,” Mr. Azurin said.
He said the group is developing renewable energy projects with a total capacity of 1,500 megawatts (MW) in seven years. Of this, the first is a 55-MW solar power plant in Bulacan, which started operations in May this year.
Mr. Azurin added that the group is now also building a 78-MW solar plant in Baras, Rizal, which is set to be completed in September next year.
He added that the group is also negotiating for solar plants in Isabela, Nueva Ecija, and Ilocos Norte and is eyeing hydro and wind power.
“With consumer preference continuing to shift towards more environment-friendly initiatives, sustainability has become vital in keeping one’s competitive advantage,” Mr. Azurin said.
He added that the use of renewable energy to meet baseload requirements “remains challenging and comes with a premium price” due to the irregularity of most renewable energy sources and the geographical constraints and tech-nological limitations of the Philippines.
With this, Mr. Azurin said One Meralco’s “strategy is to transition to low-carbon energy in an orderly and affordable manner to serve our broader purpose while securing long-term profitability.”
Meralco’s controlling stakeholder, Beacon Electric Asset Holdings, Inc., is partly owned by PLDT, Inc.
Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has a stake in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — Bianca Angelica D. Añago
FILINVEST REIT Corp. (FILRT) announced its plans to grow its portfolio by more than a third by adding three “Grade A” office buildings to cover 103,000 square meters (sq.m.) of land in about a year or a year and a half.
In a news release on Thursday, FILRT said the three buildings are Filinvest Cebu Cyberzone Tower 2 in Cebu City, Filinvest Axis Tower 2 in Muntinlupa City, and PBCom Tower in Makati City.
FILRT currently owns 17 Grade A office buildings covering a total of 300,000 sq.m. of land with an asset value of P48.5 billion.
Of these buildings, 16 are located in Northgate Cyberzone in Filinvest City in Alabang, a PEZA Special Economic Zone and IT park, while one is in the gateway of the Cebu IT park in Lahug, Cebu City.
The additional office buildings will bring the company’s portfolio to 20 office buildings covering 403,000 sq.m. of land in total.
FILRT said it expects a strong recovery of the economy next year, especially in the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry, which it said comprises about 91% of its tenant base.
“With the opening of the economy and growing demand of multinational BPO companies, we remain optimistic that occupancy will further improve despite the lingering effects of the pandemic,” FILRT President and Chief Exec-utive Officer Maricel Brion-Lirio said.
She added that in January to September, the company had renewed 90% of all expiring leases for 2021.
FILRT is a green or sustainability-themed real estate investment trust company.
Two of its buildings were awarded gold certificates by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), which is a rating system for green buildings used worldwide.
The Northgate Cyberzone in Filinvest City in Alabang, where 16 of FILRT’s buildings are located, is also the country’s first central business district to receive gold certification from LEED for its neighborhood development plan.
LEED’s gold certification is the second highest after platinum. Buildings with gold ratings received 60 to 79 points for their green building strategies, while platinum awardees received 80 points and above.
Shares in FILRT at the stock exchange on Thursday rose by 3.64% or 28 centavos to close at P7.98 each. — Bianca Angelica D. Añago
ISRAEL is ready to participate in the Philippines’ efforts to upgrade its technology, particularly in the energy sector, software, and agriculture, its ambassador said.
“My vision is to see Israel and the Philippines partnering in innovation… and working together to introduce… relevant technologies which can benefit the development process here in the Philippines,” Israeli Ambassador Ilan Fluss said at the Pandesal Forum Thursday.
He said Israel is ready to share its expertise in management systems and energy-saving and storage software technology.
“We organize, together with our trade and economic office here, seminars to bring the private sector together,” he said, adding that Israel also hopes to promote entrepreneurship. Some recent seminars revolved around agri-cultural and medical technology.
Mr. Fluss also said that the two countries should seek closer business ties by connecting companies because “at the end of the day, we need the private sector to benefit.”
“When you introduce them to each other, they see the benefit of working together,” he added.
“I look forward to working with all of you in promoting the relations with the countries, but more than that… the human relationship among people,” said Mr. Fluss.
Mr. Fluss has visited Tarlac to inspect agriculture projects organized by Israeli firms in the province.
“Israel is a hub of innovation and technology in the agriculture field. We want to share our know-how with Filipinos to help unleash their potential and to work together in maximizing that potential while using smart and innovative technology,” Mr. Fluss said.
“The impressive display of the adoption of Israel’s technology in the province of Tarlac is commendable,” he added.
He said every year, Filipino students are sent to train in Israel for close to a year in smart agriculture. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan
Patty Chang Invocation for a Wandering Lake Part 1 & 2 2016 Image courtesy of the artist
Clare Langan Flight from the City 2015 Courtesy of the artist & Galerie Anita Beckers, Frankfurt and Nichido Contemporary, Tokyo
Giulio Squillacciotti What Has Left Since we Left 2020 Courtesy of the artist and Care of Milan and Kingswood Films
Himali Singh Soin Setting the Stage For a Gathering of Friends, Hylozoic/Desires (Himali SinghSoin and David Soin Tappeser) 2020 Image courtesy of the artist
Cinema ’76 Anonas reopens
MICROCINEMA Cinema ’76 Anonas reopens this week with screenings of Dune and Black Widow. Guests have to reserve their tickets at least a day before their viewing schedule. Only fully vaccinated individuals are allowed to reserve and purchase seats. Eating and drinking is prohibited inside the cinema, however, the Cinema ‘76 Café will be open. Cinema ‘76 Anonas is located at the second floor of the Anonas LRT City Center, Aurora Boulevard, Quezon City.
Cinemas at SM reopen
SM CINEMAS are now reopening. First to reopen was SM Cinema Aura Premier on Nov. 17. The newly redeveloped theaters at SM Cinema North EDSA, Mall of Asia, and Megamall will be reopening on Nov. 24, while SM Cinema Grand Central will open on Nov. 26. SM Cinema Fairview, Southmall, Manila, BF Parañaque, Clark, San Lazaro, Baguio, Dasmariñas, Sta. Rosa, Sucat, Sta. Mesa, and Bicutan will reopen on Nov. 30. SM Cinema, in partnership with Hygiea Innovations and Technology, Inc., has installed MERV filters and air purifiers to ensure safe and clean cinemas. A health and safety officer will be present for every screening while movie theaters will be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized regularly. SM Cinema employees are fully vaccinated and will wear full PPE gear. Safety protocols will be strictly implemented within the cinemas. Moviegoers (children and adults) must be fully vaccinated to be allowed inside the cinemas. They must also wear face masks at all times. The use of face shields is non-mandatory and voluntary. A health declaration must be presented upon ticket purchase. Temperature and symptoms will be checked upon mall entry. Reopened SM Cinemas will have capacity restrictions to allow customers to social distance one seat apart from each other. The bringing of food inside will be prohibited for now, although drinking water will be allowed in consideration of possible emergencies and health risks. Audience members will be asked to remain in their seats during the duration of the movie, and cashless payment options will be available via GrabPay, GCash, or credit or debit card.
QC boutique theater shows free short films
Sine Pop, a post-war house turned boutique theater in Cubao, Quezon City, currently hosts free screenings of short films and video works from across the world. The initiative is part of MCAD Commons: 2021 Artists’ Film International (AFI) Program. Established in 2008 by the publicly-funded historical 120-year-old Whitechapel Gallery, AFI showcases contemporary pieces from their regions to be screened across the participating countries. To be shown are Flight from the City (2015) by Irish artist Clare Langan, Invocation for a Wandering Lake Part 1 & 2 (2016) by American performance artist and film director Patty Chang, My Castle Your Castle (2017) by German ultra-contemporary artist and filmmaker Kerstin Honeit, What Has Left Since We Left (2020) by Italian artist and filmmaker Giulio Squillacciott, Setting the Stage for a Gathering of Friends (2020) by Indian writer and artist Himali Singh Soin, and Mag-uuma (Farmer) (2014) by Filipino filmmaker and human rights activist Kiri Dalena. Shows will be screened on Nov. 23 and 24, Dec. 1, 7 and 8. Shows run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. All screenings are free and open to the public. For more information, visit http://www.mcadmanila.org.ph/aficare/.
CCP holds Batang Sining activities
THE CULTURAL Center of the Philippines (CCP) is holding Batang Sining, a series of weekly fun and educational activities, from Nov. 19 to Dec. 8. Following the Batang Sining theme “Sining para sa Kalusugan, Kumunidad, at Kalikasan,” the CCP Arts Education partnered with Black Canvas to reimagine arts education through online workshops, streamings, conversations and safely conducted in-person events supporting the holistic growth of Filipino children to explore creative expression, promote social awareness, and develop empathy to become more mindful, resilient and empowered. In the next three weeks, Batang Sining offers exciting activities that will expose and provide students with hands-on experiences on various art forms, help deepen their understanding and appreciation of Philippine arts and culture, while providing them with opportunities to engage in creative expressions. Follow the CCP, Batang Sining, and CCP Arts Education Facebook pages for more information and updates.
McDonald’s Kiddie Crew Workshop returns online
IN a first for McDonald’s Philippines, it will be holding the Kiddie Crew Workshop online. Spanning the weekends of Nov. 20 to Dec. 29, each McDonald’s Kiddie Crew Online Workshop will be a two-day session, each lasting 90 minutes in the afternoon. Held on a website, the children will be guided as they go through a virtual McDonald’s store. Various points in the digital area will let children hop from one activity to another — from dancing, to singing, to playing games where they can learn more about the different Kiddie Crew values of discipline, hard work, teamwork, sharing and responsibility, and active play. Attendees will also be accompanied by Ronald and the Gang throughout. For a registration fee of P499, customers will get access to the two-day online workshop, a one-day Workshop Meal,) and a Workshop Kit (chef’s hat, apron, bag, and cap) with a free kiddie crew T-shirt and lanyard. Registration for the McDonald’s Kiddie Crew Workshop is ongoing online at www.mcdokiddiecrew.com.
SMART x American Music Awards 2021
MOBILE services provider Smart Communications, Inc. through its new GigaPlay App is bringing the 2021 American Music Awards (AMAs) exclusively to its subscribers, live on Nov. 22 at 9 a.m. (Philippine time). Hosted by multi-awarded rapper Cardi B, the 2021 AMAs will excite music fans everywhere when it brings together the biggest artists at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. In this time of pandemic, Smart makes the biggest acts available to Filipinos through amazing live streaming technology. Headlining the event is Korean supergroup and Smart endorser BTS who will do two separate performances during the show. The six-time AMA-winning group is also nominated for three major awards this year, including Artist of the Year — a first for any Asian act. The 2021 AMAs will also feature live performances from the hottest artists today, including Bad Bunny, Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean, Kane Brown, New Edition, New Kids on the Block, Jennifer Lopez and part-Filipina singer Olivia Rodrigo, who marks her debut on the AMAs stage. To experience the whole show, simply download the GigaPlay App via smrt.ph/gigaplay. Select the 2021 American Music Awards live while on PLDT Wifi or Smart network. The GigaPlay App is available to all Smart subscribers and the opportunity to experience live HD concert technology is all but a few taps away on your Smart-powered devices at no extra cost.
Fundraising concert, night market at Ortigas malls
ORTIGAS Malls — Greenhills, Tiendesitas, Estancia, and Industria — welcome back their guests with its Christmas with the Stars online fundraising concert. As the local entertainment and performance industry continues to grapple with the effects of the pandemic, Ortigas Malls teamed up with Ogie Alcasid and Ian Veneracion to create a fundraiser for the benefit of the Independent Production Workers Group (IPWG). Christmas with the Stars is scheduled to be held online (https://www.facebook.com/OrtigasMallsLife) on Dec. 11, 8 p.m. Every P1,000 single or accumulated receipt from any establishment in the Ortigas Malls entitles a customer to a free ticket to the online concert and support the cause. The concert will be accompanied by online mini-concerts every Friday on the Ortigas Malls social media pages. Aside from the fundraising concert, Ortigas Malls also unveiled its first loyalty card, the Ortigas Malls Community Card. It is designed to give mall-goers and shoppers a VIP experience across its malls. The rewards program allows members to enjoy real time perks ranging from free parking and carwash, to free use of Shopbox, free shopping fee from My Home Dashers, and discount coupons from Ortigas Malls merchant members. Register for an Ortigas Mall Community Card through the Ortigas Malls Mobile app for free. Ortigas Malls has also opened the Greenhills Night Market. Enjoy al fresco dining in a safe environment with over 50 food stalls and food trucks, and a colorful parol (Christmas lanterns) exhibit, while enjoying the nightly DJ music. The night market is ongoing until Jan. 7, 2022 (4 to 11 p.m). Entrance is free.
Christmas at the Shang
SHANGRI-LA Plaza is helping visitors get into the holiday spirit with a festive line-up of shopping treats and eats for the entire November. Update looks for the season with Shop Shang Now. The month-long sale features carefully curated picks from top fashion brands at the Shang. Finish holiday gift shopping early by visiting the Shang Market’s series of bazaars on all weekends of November. Find savory and sweet picks from the Food Forum merchants, and unique accessories and items from proudly local brands like Infinite, MNL, Curate, and Curious Creations. Food and drinks at special rates can be had at participating Shang restaurants and cafés like Mesa, Kettle, California Pizza Kitchen, Tender Bobs, Duck & Buvette, Corazon, Max’s, Fiesta Alamexo, Sumosam, Cyma, Banana Leaf, and Buffalo Wings & Things on Nov. 20-30. It’s all about accessories at the Grand Atrium on Nov. 22-30 as Shang and Philippine Fashion Coalition bring some of the country’s most creative local designers and brands together for Paskong Pinoy Fashion Fair. Shang ends November with a bang and a lot of discounts with its Black Friday Sale. Shop at participating stores like Marks & Spencer, Zara, and Bershka and get as much as 70% off on select items on Nov. 26-30. For inquiries, call 8-370-2597/98 or visit www.facebook.com/shangrilaplazaofficial. Follow the Shang on Instagram: @shangrilaplazaofficial.
LAND BANK of the Philippines (LANDBANK) has extended P62.06 billion in loans to local government units (LGUs) as of end-October, the state-run bank said.
LANDBANK in a press release on Thursday said that from that total, P22.96 billion funded agriculture and aquaculture projects.
Another P5.82 billion was set aside for transportation and P5.23 billion was put into healthcare initiatives.
LANDBANK in the same statement said it extended a P60-million loan to the municipal government of Lagayan in Abra province for development projects.
The loan will fund the rehabilitation of a municipal road between barangays Pulot and Poblacion, and it will buy a payloader for dredging the Palsuguan and Tineg rivers traversing the town.
The dredging project would “prevent floods in rice fields and barangays caused by the natural buildup of debris and rising waters resulting from monsoon rains,” the bank said.
“Part of the LANDBANK loan will also be used to put up a drainage canal system in Barangay Poblacion to improve water drainage for the health and safety of residents.”
LANDBANK’s net income grew by 21.2% in the first nine months of the year to P16.72 billion from P13.8 billion on the back of the lower cost of funds.
This puts the bank on track to meet its P19.68-billion profit target by yearend. — J.P. Ibañez
THE Social Security System (SSS) said it released P869.99 million worth of unemployment benefits in the first nine months of the year to 67,937 members.
The unemployment benefit covers employees affected by involuntary separation for various reasons, including redundancy, downsizing, and business closure.
Those who lost their jobs due to the economic downturn caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may also apply.
“We fully understand the plight of our private-sector workers who have been laid off from their jobs. With this milestone benefit, we remain committed in providing financial aid amid the pandemic,” SSS President and CEO Aurora C. Ignacio said in a statement Thursday.
“With the inclusion of the unemployment benefit application in the E-Services Tab of the My.SSS portal, involuntary separated members have a more convenient option to submit their application online,” she added.
The unemployment rate rose to 8.9% in September from 8.1% a month earlier, after bad weather and strict lockdowns worsened job losses.
The SSS earlier this month announced four relief and restructuring programs for borrowers with past-due payments on salary and housing loans, citing the still-weak economy.
In the eight months to August, the SSS collected P155.59 billion in contributions and spent P159.6 billion. Of the expenses, P154 billion was spent on benefits while the rest went to operating expenses. — Jenina P. Ibañez
ELBONOMICS: Respect is the master key to the gates of employee engagement.
Our CEO, a lawyer and a product of the old school, wants all managers to be doubly strict with employees. As the company’s human resource (HR) manager, I recommended a comprehensive program to engage and moti-vate people. He is not convinced and asked me: “Which should be our priority — engaging the workers or ensuring they’re dismissed at the first sign of trouble they’ve created?” — Trigger Happy.
A little boy returned home from his first time going to church. When his grandfather asked how it went, he replied: “The music was nice but the commercial was boring and too long.”
What’s the lesson of this story? In all situations, we are entertained by music and the merriment that comes with it. Conversely, we hate listening to dull lectures. The same thing applies in people management. Music as represented here by engagement is the first priority in managing the workers.
That means treating the workers well enough so they have no reason to betray the management’s trust. To some people, this is easier said than done. Employee engagement is a complex and difficult program to implement.
Much of the difficulty lies in the various interpretations of “employee engagement.” Writing in Forbes in 2012, New York Times bestselling author Kevin Kruse said it’s not about helping employees find their “happiness” or “satisfaction.” Rather, the correct definition “is the emotional commitment the employee has to the organization and its goals.”
DISCRETIONARY EFFORT
According to Kruse, the best way to measure employee engagement is when “they use discretionary effort.” He gave three examples: An “engaged computer programmer works overtime when needed, without being asked. This means the engaged retail clerk picks up the trash on the store floor, even if the boss isn’t watching. This means the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) agent will pull a suspicious bag to be searched, even if it’s the last bag on their shift.”
The list is endless, except that many such examples are difficult to find. That’s the reason why we consider the engaged worker a rare breed. Two weeks ago, I brought my home printer to the service center. I came in at 3:25 p.m., confident I had enough time before the shop closed at 6 p.m. After an initial check-up by the counter technician, I was told that I need to come back in a week for the findings and the repair cost estimate.
I protested: “You should be able to do that in less than one hour.” The repair technician replied, “I’m sorry, sir, but our closing time is 4 p.m.” I told him that the website says closing time is 6 p.m.
“Our website is not updated!” The room turned quiet as the technician read my thoughts, maybe perceiving that I was ready to challenge him. Then he magically changed his mind and agreed to perform the repair right there.
We have to ask ourselves if this is the kind of discretionary effort we want from a repair technician, who was left with no choice but to heed my request. Definitely not! Discretionary effort is performed by engaged workers will-ing to spend extra hours to complete a task without being coerced by a boss or a customer and without being paid overtime.
RESPECT FOR PEOPLE
How do managers create a situation in which employees readily give their discretionary effort? We have to hear it directly from the workers, who have different interests. This week, I conducted a webinar on effective leadership for a Japanese company.
One activity was role-playing by 12 line supervisors. They asked and answered in rotation the point-blank question: What is motivating you to stay in this company? They were asked to list down their top three reasons, both material and non-material.
Their message was clear. There are people who would prefer to stay long in the company if management provides an environment in which everyone is challenged to do a good job and be rewarded for it, not necessarily just with high salaries and benefits. People stay in the company because they like the way they’re being treated.
If one term can describe it, it is “respect for people,” and it should be on top of everyone’s lists.
Have a chat with REY ELBO via Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter or send your workplace questions to elbonomics@gmail.com or via https://reyelbo.consulting
