Cheats go around DTI order

The Department of Trade and Industry’s Administrative Order No. 10 that supposedly took effect last Nov. 5 requires retailers and other store owners to display only one price tag for products and services, regardless if the mode of payment is cash or credit.  The DTI order is an attempt to protect consumers from undue surcharges on anything paid for via a credit card, with some legislators planning to push a bill that would remove onerous credit card fees and charges. However, shop-aholic Eye-spies have spotted overly enterprising store owners, particularly those selling cell phones, going around the DTI order. Indeed, only one price tag is now displayed for the cellphone products — but the amount on the tag is the intended higher price for credit card purchases. This makes it a double profit operation with cash-paying consumers unwittingly paying a higher cost for their purchase. Looks like the DTI has to work some more to prevent these cheats from victimizing consumers.

Roster of shame and fame

A month after Malacañang ordered the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) to publicize the list of nursing schools and the corresponding passing rates of their graduates in the Nursing Licensure Examination (NLE), the public has yet to see this roster. There is a ready list which can be published immediately if the authorities want to, Congressman Joseph Santiago urged. Officials of top-rated institutions have alleged that failure by regulators to check the spread of substandard nursing schools is because a number of them are allegedly backed by politicians. The Catanduanes legislator has proposed the review of ads being put out by nursing schools and has suggested inclusion of the NLE pass rate, with the ads to be pre-approved by the CHED. Additionally, the CHED and PRC are being urged to publish in at least five newspapers of national circulation a list of the best and worst nursing schools based on their NLE pass rates. This roster of shame and fame could certainly help parents decide which nursing schools they want to send their children to.

Slow route to the Skyway

Vehicle owners taking the Skyway route to the South are complaining about the grindingly slow flow of traffic. During the MMDA’s "huli holiday," vehicles were reportedly stuck for close to an hour from the Magallanes peak to the toll gate — which drew the ire of drivers who felt the expensive toll rates were not worth all the aggravation and delay. The Skyway route is supposed to cut down travel time for those willing to shell out a much higher fee, but it looks like the purpose is not being served. Management could try employing more ambulant tellers especially during peak hours so that drivers will not be stuck in traffic, which is expected to get worse now that the Christmas season is approaching.

Commercialized education

Informants disclosed that a public school with a royal sounding name located in Taguig is allegedly "inducing" pupils to watch the biopic of a popular sports figure in exchange for additional grades. According to sources, a ranking Department of Education official even reportedly signed a memorandum stating that the school authorities will be getting a certain percentage of the take at the tills. Of course, "urging" the pupils to watch the popular sports hero’s commercially produced bio is being justified by the school authorities by saying that the kids will learn from the story, and that proceeds will be used for various school-related activities. Be that as it may, many of the pupils come from families who could ill-afford to spend hard-earned money on movies notwithstanding the discounted rates for students. And no matter how much the school authorities deny that the students’ grades will not be affected, it’s an open secret that those who will obediently shell out money to watch the movie will be given more favorable consideration when grade computation time comes, the informants said. This is certainly a case of conducting education in a "business-like" manner.

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