DOLE to hold public hearing for new wage order in Negros
BACOLOD CITY -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will hold a public hearing on the proposed wage increase on Friday in Bacolod, said DOLE Regional Director Aida Estabillo.
Estabillo is in the province now for the Public Employment Service Office Capability Building and Year-end Performance Assessment being held in Mambukal, Resort, Murcia.
She said DOLE has already implemented the Emergency Relief Allowance (ERA) and most of the employers have already integrated the P15 ERA to the pay of their workers.
"We want the integration of the P15 ERA in the P235 minimum wage stated under Wage Order No. 15 and hopefully, the minimum wage will become P250 plus the P15 ERA," she said.
The implementation of the third installment of Wage Order No. 15 has not yet been completed.
After the public hearing, they will have to sit down as a board and decide on the petition.
Estabillo also led the distribution of various livelihood projects for the informal sectors of Negros Occidental.
Negros has availed of P11 million worth of livelihood grants this year, which is a big slice of the DOLE's livelihood funds.
Mr. Ted Lizares Jimenez facilitated the release of approximately P2 million worth of livelihood projects for the 3rd District of Negros Occidental.
Silay got P999,000.00 for the 526 informal sector for their livelihood enhancement program for its upland, coastal and central barangays.
Talisay got P414,356.00 for the 95 fisherfolks in Brgys. Zone 3 & 5 in their Mud Crab and Catfish fattening.
Victorias City got P356,000.00 for the livelihood enhancement project for the 75 micro entrepreneurs.
Mr. Jimenez said he is very glad that the 3rd District of Negros Occidental has also a big slice of the livelihood funds of DOLE.
This is a big opportunity for the people and we hope that they will take good care of these livelihood projects, Jimenez added.
La Carlota City also got P520,000.00; Toboso, P350,410.50 and Escalante, P999,000.00.
Former Board Member Ike Barredo who represented Gov. Isidro Zayco welcomed the DOLE officials and PESO officers in their Capability Building and Year-end Performance Assessment.
"Today we are confronted with the looming employment crisis with the projected massive displacement of workers due to the current global meltdown. According to the latest forecast of the International Labor Organization the world unemployment could increase by 20 million and people working in such sectors as construction, automotive, tourism, finance, services, real estate will be hit hardest first," he said.
"Your activity is very timely. We hope that the delegates in this gathering will put together the necessary contingency actions to help local and overseas workers who may lose their jobs," he said.
Mayor Demy John Honrado of La Carlota and Silay City Vice Mayor Mark Golez received the livelihood funds for their respective city.