What comes in your mind when you encountered the word “scoundrel”? One of which is mischief which means misbehavior, naughtiness, monkey business, waywardness etc.
Last October 5, 2009 I had to conduct project site visit in Mindanao. I took my flight via Cebu Pacific Manila-Gensan route. I spent the night and felt the aroma of Phela Grande Hotel because the Royal Hotel where I used to stay was fully booked-Occupied by Christian Bautista & Erik Santos’ entourage. When I disembarked from the airplane I astoundingly wonder what Christian was doing there-he was just walking beside me while going out of the departure area. I just noticed lately that October 5 was the opening of the JG summit’s Robinsons Mall in General Santos City. One day after, I travelled to Digos City. After having a meeting with our personnel assigned there I decided to go through Davao City and spend the night over there.
That was my 2nd time to visit Davao City. The first was 5 months ago but that was just a dropped by since I went through and through to Digos City that night.
While riding in the Taxi I proved that the strictness of Mayor Duterte was a fact and not just surmise. I saw no garbage around (unlike Metro Manila), no smokers around – there is designated smoking area, no beggars around and the best is no pickpocket and snatchers. Visitors and strangers can walk freely even during night time without fear that somebody might snatch them. Police visibility is all over the whole city and mind you they are all friendly, courteous and ready to assist anybody. Traffic violators are really apprehended and fined (siguro kasi dahil walang MMDA sa Davao). With these traits Davao City has you would really think that Apollo Quibuloy is right by saying that Davao City is the new paradise in the earth worthy to live for.
One thing that really caught me a lot is the implementation of the non-smoking city ordinance. If somebody caught smoking inside any public utility vehicles faces imprisonment and fine. “Recidivist” often get “terminated” if they won’t change (Sana ganito rin sa Maynila).
But don’t you know despite these good traits Davao City has, the good mayor did not totally get rid of all “scoundrel”. Understandable is the fact that he is not monitoring every corner of the city 24/7.
During my one day sojourn I happened to stay at Sampaguita Hotel, considered as 3 star hotel, just located at the downtown heart of the city. To my stun I found out few stuff inside – bed, table and television. I immediately picked the intercom up and asked the reception, do you not have towel, slippers, soap, shampoo, toothbrush, dress hanger and other basic necessities? The answer I got was “we have all of them sir, but you have to deposit an amount”. What? I shockingly replied. To not make any further discussions I deposited an amount. After a few minutes, I opened the television to monitor the conditions of typhoon Pepeng. To my dismay there was no remote control. I picked again the intercom up and asked the reception and the lady again told me to deposit an amount to get the remote control. My gosh, what kind of hotel did I checked-in. Everything is for cash deposit. Is this setup taught in the HRM Schools?
Well, I am not undermining the fact that management prerogative is protected power bestowed upon the management. However, it doesn’t necessitate sacrificing the services given to the customers & guests considering the nature of a hotel business.
Personally I consider such set up a big SCOUNDREL.
