TOKYO - The dollar was slightly firmer in Asian trade yesterday but still hovered around four-month lows against the euro on rising crude oil prices and expectations of narrowing interest rate differentials, dealers said.

Oil prices rose overnight in New York to over $69 a barrel before easing amid unrest in Nigeria and escalating tensions over Iran's nuclear program.

"The dollar was weighed down largely by higher oil prices related to uncertainty in the situation over Iran's nuclear program," Kosuke Hanao, head of forex sales at Royal Bank of Scotland said.

P1.7B in CBA benefits
released to workers in '05

The Department of Labor and Employment said almost P1.7 billion worth of collective bargaining agreement economic packages were released to 22,534 workers nationwide in 2005.

DOLE in a statement cited records of the National Conciliation and Mediation Board, stating that the CBA benefits were granted to the workers after preventive mediation and the settlement of strikes and lockouts, including the resolution of disputes.

Preventive mediation and settlement of strikes/lockouts and notices of strikes/lockouts are major components of the conciliation and mediation program of NCMB.

Newest fast craft
service launched

The New Bullet Corp. yesterday launched a new fast craft to service passengers from Bacolod and Iloilo.

Luis T. Ong, NBC president, yesterday said Blue Sky is bigger and more comfortable than the Bullet Express, and offers an affordable fare rate -- P150 for economy class, P260 for tourist class and P290 for business class. He said the seacraft, which could accommodate 316 passengers, will start its operation next week.

The blessing of the vessel was held yesterday at the Bacolod Real Estate Development Corp. port at the Reclamation Area, in Bacolod City. Blue Sky is owned by local businessmen in the city.

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