“You get a reputation for stability if you are stable for years.”
—Mark Zuckerberg
By Alex P. Vidal
LET us take into consideration the main interest and priority of power consumers in Iloilo City: a stable power supply.
After they have been annoyed by several unscheduled blackouts, “a stable power supply” is the only language they would always want to hear.
The power consumers may be satisfied that the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) has taken an initial step to address the baffling power outages these past months when it called for a committee investigation on June 30, but they will be more happy if given an assurance that there will be no more power interruptions as immoderate and egregious as the ones that occurred while the residents had been mandated to stay at home amid the pandemic restrictions.
They will be happier if the problem on power outage is resolved soon without hearing one party point an accusing finger at another party.
Uninterrupted power supply is their utmost priority even before the COVID-19 pandemic came; they want it now, and they want it quick.
They are aware that the longer it will take for the SP to act on the matter, the more they will agonize now that we are in the middle of the summer season.
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They may not be interested in the dispute between the More Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power) and Panay Electric Company (PECO), let alone hear the Department of Energy (DoE) recite some technical terms that will create more perplexing questions than direct answers to their main concerns.
Moreover, the Ilonggo power consumers may scoff at an SP inquiry riddled with so much rancor and extended debate, especially if they feel the commotion will not immediately redound to the quick resolution of the problem.
A long debate means both parties are wrong.
An extended hearing means life will remain unbearable for thousands of power consumers who will end up in the losing end.
The power consumers have a short tolerance when it comes to disruption of their normal lives where the role of electricity is essential and a necessity.
It’s no longer a case of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
It’s should now be “fix it and stop fighting. Period.”
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NOW that the law on Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC) has been passed in the Philippines, let us be reminded that manners are actually important to make a good impression on others in everyday life.
They also help us to feel good about ourselves and our identities.
No matter where we are, at home—with kids, at work—with colleagues, or with friends, practicing good manners are important.
If we practice good manners, we are showing those around us that we are considerate to their feelings and also respect them.
We are also setting standards for other’s behavior and encouraging them to treat us with similar respect.
Florence Lewis of Jobcluster has listed some of the basic examples of good manners and etiquettes:
—Choose your words wisely and don’t rush to comment about things you don’t know much about. Being a good listener is often better than speaking. You don’t need to have an opinion on everything.
—Think things out before you speak, especially if you are a person who may be poor at finding the right words to say. Don’t start a sentence, with ‘ums’ and ‘ers’ in between, it seems awkward and you should try speaking to yourself in front of a mirror, it works! It increases your confident in speaking.
—Don’t speak loudly. You will quickly lose respect if you do, as this can be seen as overbearing and rude. It can also make other people angry and upset with you before you even establish some kind of relationship with them. They will see you as a ‘big mouth’ who cannot be trusted with anything confidential. So practice turning your volume down if you tend to have a loud voice.
—Speak with respect to and of others. You can do this by avoiding negative remarks that may insult someone else. The general rule is- if you don’t want someone to speak about you that way, you don’t speak about them to others.
—Do not ever speak of bodily functions even if it is a casual conversation, such as using the bathroom or telling crude jokes, for this shows sign of immaturity and often creates a bad impression of you with your friends, family, and co-workers.
—Always respect older people and listen to them and learn. This applies to all elders and not just parents and grandparents.
Using the terms ‘Thank You’, and ‘You are Welcome’ shows that you have good manners. People who lack manners do not use these terms.
Hold open a door for anyone following you closely. This is a sign of a good manner and has never changed. There are no strict gender rules in this day and age.
—Speak highly of your parents respect them, even if there are things about them that you do not like. If you cannot do that, stay away from speaking about them at all. It looks bad to insult or speak badly of the people who brought you into this world or raised you. Don’t wash dirty family laundry in public. It is negative and rude.
—Do not swear to use filth language and curse words. It is unprofessional! People who do this are usually very immature and have no self-control or respect for themselves and others!
Good manners are simply respect and consideration for others or being aware of the needs of others.
They are the oil which lubricates the friction of interpersonal relations and creates a happy and successful society.
So, Give Respect and Take Respect!
(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo)
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