The non-traditional exports of Negros Occidental posted $13.54 million in 2006, figures of the Department of Trade and Industry - Negros Occidental show.

Non-traditional exports include garments, processed food, aquamarine, furniture, garments, toys and housewares, and metals. Last year, the local garments industry exported $1.516 million; processed food, $287,373; aqua/marine, $10,684; furniture, $264,236; and GTH, $788,384.

On a monthly basis, non-traditional exports posted in January, $1.387 million; February, $10.193 million; March, $5,954; April, $290,117; May, $249,406; June, $281,389; August, $258,965; September, $55,080; October, $511,777; and December, $307,994.*NLG

Cebu Pacific projects
43% passenger hike

MANILA - Cebu Pacific Air Inc. expects a 43 percent rise in passenger traffic to five million this year, the company's president said yesterday.

The increase comes on the back of a $670-million dollar aircraft upgrade program that will be completed next month, Lance Gokongwei said. "Last year was a milestone year for the airline, with the near completion of our refleeting program and the continued expansion of our operations both in the domestic and regional markets," Gokongwei said.

Malacañang supports House move
to put on hold P125 wage increase

MANILA - Philippine President Gloria Arroyo has backed calls by the business community for a freeze on an increase in the minimum wage, her spokesman said yesterday.

The House of Representatives passed a bill last December increasing the daily minimum wage of Filipino workers by P125, staggered over three years, in a bid to give low paid workers more purchasing power.

Wages in the Philippines vary by region but the national daily average is around P283 , according to Labor Department data. The minimum daily wage in Manila is higher at around P350.

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