A week of disappointments

Two weeks after the supposed implementation of the much-announced Government Mediated Access Price (GMA-P – why must those initials be in everything public servants do?), granting discounts on a number of medicine, none of the drug store staff we encountered was aware of the bill. The politicos involved in its passage quickly took credit as they heralded their concern for the people, but some people in government and the health department are apparently too busy with the current campaign pandemonium that they have forgotten to disseminate the information.

Nearly a week after its supposed effectivity, we visited three drug stores, two of them part of the biggest chain in the country. Each of their staff gave us a blank stare and when we asked for a manager or supervisor, we   initially got the same reaction. After a few seconds, one recovered and told us they have not received any implementing rules. We would say this is the typical government way of going about their sworn public service – no follow up. Is there a monitoring body for this? Incidentally, in the last pharmacy we went to, there was even a board announcing the telephone number to call for inquiries – 897-8275. We dialed several times during office hours, but nobody answered. Here’s another number – 809-4390.

Unluckily, within the week we got another disappointment from staff that have not be entrained properly. On April 3, our daughter brought her digital camera to have some photos printed at Picture City, second level, Ayala Town Center. She specifically told the girl attending to her, Vanessa, to do them in matte finish. She was told to come back Monday, but we returned on Tuesday, a day after. To our dismay, they had not done the job because they did not have the paper in stock! We found it very inefficient that for three days, they did not even try to call us (we left our number with them), or try to secure the matter paper they needed. We sent an email to the manager, Mr. Bambe, but got a reply from a Paul Santos (quick and good), who said they’d investigate. No word about the findings has been received so far.

These two cases show how important training in customer relations is and that business establishments need to understand this and take action.

On the brigher side of our week, we motored to Tagaytay for a respite with family. It was easy driving and we reached our destination in time for check-in at the Midlands Hotel, down from the Highlands. This new addition to the complex is a two-storey structure with comfortable rooms and friendly staff. Guests can request for a “transender” (actually an upgraded golf cart) whenever they want to go to any of the facilities (the golf club, main hall, bowling, animal farm, restaurants etc.) Quite a good two days we spent there.

On the return trip, inevitably we stopped at Rowena’s Pasalubong and Café in Barangay Francisco, Tagaytay City. As usual, the place was crowded. Before we took a look at her new items we made sure we got the ube tarts, P140 for a box of 12. She now carries a selection of ground coffee. Her own brew, Batangas Barako, goes for P200 a pack of one kilo. We delighted in the camachile cookies, sweet or sugar free, as it reminded as of our childhood. Her toasted garlic in bottles is very finely grated (rather than crushed). The Gustazo Pomodoro bottled tinapa is also on her shelves. Her endless collection always entices motorists to bring home quite a load.

There are these carinderia type food outlets in the Santa Rosa market, right behind the fresh food section, which draw a lot of shoppers and diners every day. They offer delicious food at reasonable costs. This is also a very practical source for lunch and dinner fare when one is pressed for time, or when simply wanting to take off from the daily routine of cooking. Among the more popular dishes are grilled squid, pancit palabok and sisig. It is also worth noting that the place is clean.

E-mail comments and questions to: [email protected].