In the investigation being conducted by the house of representatives, some officials at the customs bureau had adopted procedures that facilitates the release of imported goods. Such procedure had been in place for a long time but was not known to the public except importers who avail of the process. It was only during the congressional investigation that the procedure was uncovered when some importers wailed over the unjust treatment.

It was revealed in the congressional investigation that what was supposed to be a fast process had resulted in the stalled goods notwithstanding the payment of huge grease money reaching millions of pesos. The issue was rooted on the alleged unfair treatment as other importers were gaining advantage as their goods are released with facility. The paid process would appear useless to those whose goods are not released as such delay would result to undue losses.

In the course of the investigation, officers of the customs bureau were keeping the truth that there is a system dubbed as “tara” in filipino jargon. It actually is an anomalous procedure that required importers to pay a huge amount, reportedly in the millions of pesos, just for their imported items to be released through what were labelled as fast lanes where imported goods could pass without questions.

Later, it would be uncovered that the fast lanes are color-coded depending on the amount of “tara” an importer could afford. The fastest among the lanes reportedly bypasses all check stations and the imported goods are released without question. The imported goods are released without the usual documents and physical inspection.

The huge amounts being paid under what was called the “tara” system do not go into the official collection of the government as the same are partaken by the corrupt women and men in the customs bureau. What came as the biggest revelation from the investigation is the allegation that the system is controlled by the city chief executive of Davao and his cohorts, chiefly the former president’s family. The collections are taken from the importers who are too willing to shell out huge amount just to ensure that their goods are released by the “tara” operators at the customs bureau.

What is revolting is the fact that poor taxpayers are easily penalized for non-payment of the correct taxes while those big businessmen could easily evade the payment of the taxes for their imported goods as long as grease money are paid to the corrupt officials running the “tara” system. Indeed, huge losses of collectible customs’ duties are being pocketed by some corrupt officials through the fast lanes.

comments to alellema@yahoo.com

THIS is actually meant for all of us, but especially for priests and consecrated persons who are supposed to lead the way for others to fulfill this duty. The ideal condition for us is to become more and more like Christ, having his mind and heart, having his spirit such that we can approximate our true identity and dignity as children of God just as Christ is the Son of God who became man to bring us back to where we should be.

And by intimacy, I mean that abiding awareness of Christ’s presence in our life, such that it affects even our feelings and passions. We need to set our whole selves to meet this condition because only with this intimacy with Christ can we be able to be also intimate with everybody else, which is the ideal condition in our relation with them.

It’s when we are intimate with Christ and with everybody else when we can really see ourselves in our rawest and unvarnished selves. Intimacy is where the most fundamental expressions of our humanity are made, where we become aware of our personhood, and where our real identity is established and defined.

We have to understand that we have to exert conscious effort to develop our proper sense of intimacy. We should not allow it to develop simply by chance or by some random initiatives. We have to be very serious about it, always coming up with concrete plans and strategies to put it in place and to keep it going.

And the reason for this is that especially today, with so many things grabbing our attention, we always have the tendency to treat God and others in a very casual way, if at all. And so, our relationships will most likely remain in the superficial level and are mainly driven by self-serving motivations and not by love, which is the proper spirit that should animate our relationships.

We have to do everything to grow in our intimacy with Christ everyday. This should be a constant concern of ours. This is the most ideal condition that we can and should be in, and we just have to figure out how it can be achieved.

To be sure, this is no pipe dream. This is not only possible and feasible. It is first of all Christ’s will and he has given us everything so that we can truly get intimate with him, and be privy to his will and ways.

Let’s remember that the world gives us a lot of options to do what we want to do. And though we are given an autonomy to do what we want, and all of them can be moral, valid and legitimate, we should try our best to choose the one that we are convinced is what Christ wants us to do in a given moment.

We have to make sure that Christ strikes us as a living person, and not just an idea, a memory, an abstract character to whom we go as a kind of psychological or emotional prop, or a spiritual ornament.

We need to see Christ in everything and everyone. Thus, we have to learn how to be recollected and to be a contemplative especially in the middle of the world as we go through our temporal affairs.

Let’s be sure that Christ is precisely also in the middle of the world, in our mundane affairs. He is waiting for us there and is expecting us to turn these things to him, since these things are the very test Christ provides us to see if we truly believe and love him or not.

The business world, a melting pot of diverse perspectives, can sometimes feel like a communication minefield. While we strive for equality, ingrained gender differences in communication styles can lead to misunderstandings and missed opportunities. Understanding these nuances can foster better collaboration, build stronger relationships, and ultimately lead to greater success.

The Roots of Communication Differences:

The differences in communication styles between men and women often stem from societal conditioning and cultural norms. From childhood, boys and girls are often socialized differently, leading to distinct communication patterns. While these generalizations don’t apply to everyone, they offer a framework for understanding common trends.

Men: Direct and Task-Oriented

Men tend to communicate in a more direct, task-oriented manner. They often prioritize efficiency and focus on conveying information quickly and concisely. This can be perceived as assertive, confident, and even aggressive by some.

– Directness: Men are more likely to use a direct, assertive tone, focusing on the facts and solutions.

– Competition: They may engage in more competitive communication, using language that emphasizes their achievements and positions them as leaders.

– Problem-Solving: Their communication often revolves around identifying and solving problems, with a focus on finding practical solutions.

Women: Collaborative and Relationship-Focused

Women often communicate in a more collaborative and relationship-focused manner. They prioritize building connections, understanding emotions, and fostering a sense of community. This can be seen as nurturing, empathetic, and even indirect by some.

– Indirectness: Women may use a more indirect approach, seeking to build consensus and avoid confrontation.

– Collaboration: They often prioritize teamwork and communication that fosters a sense of shared understanding.

– Emotional Intelligence: Women tend to be more attuned to emotions and use language that reflects empathy and understanding.

Navigating the Communication Gap:

Understanding these differences is crucial for effective communication in the business environment. Here are some strategies for bridging the gap:

– Active Listening: Engage in active listening, decoding both spoken words and unspoken cues. This involves asking clarifying questions, summarizing key points, and showing genuine interest.

– Empathy and Understanding: Try to understand the other person’s perspective, even if it differs from your own. Acknowledge their feelings and strive to see the situation from their point of view.

– Clear and Concise Communication: Use clear and concise language, avoiding jargon or overly complex terminology. Align your tone and body language with your message for a powerful and authentic delivery.

– Feedback and Openness: Encourage constructive feedback and be open to receiving criticism. This can help identify potential misunderstandings and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

Bridging the communication gap between men and women can lead to numerous benefits:
– Improved Teamwork: Effective communication fosters collaboration, leading to more efficient and productive teams.

– Stronger Relationships: Understanding communication styles helps build trust and rapport, leading to stronger working relationships.

– Increased Innovation: Diverse perspectives and communication styles encourage creativity and innovation, leading to better solutions and ideas.

– Reduced Conflict: Clear communication minimizes misunderstandings and reduces the potential for conflict, creating a more harmonious work environment.

Conclusion:

The business world thrives on effective communication. While gender differences in communication styles are often subtle, understanding them is crucial for fostering collaboration, building strong relationships, and achieving success. By practicing active listening, empathy, and clear communication, we can bridge the gap and create a more inclusive and productive work environment for all.
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If you have any questions or would like to share your thoughts on the column, feel free to send an email to jca.bblueprint@gmail.com. Looking forward to connecting with you!