The Department of Labor and Employment Bacolod District Office is aiming to inspect 1,680 business establishments in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental in line with the Labor Standards Enforcement Framework-Inspection Blitz launched by Secretary Arturo Brion early this month.

Agnes Capigon, head of Labor Standards Enforcement Unit, yesterday said they started the inspections of local establishments on July 10. The DOLE Bacolod District Office has seven labor inspectors, including one assigned for technical safety, each of whom are assigned to inspect 12 establishments per week.

"We continue to evaluate the effectivity (of the inspections). There may be changes as we go along," she said. The labor inspections, which will last until November, seek to ensure compliance of business establishments to core labor standards, including minimum wage; Emergency Cost of Living Allowance; 13th month pay; holiday pay; service incentive leave; Social Security System, Pag-IBIG, and PhilHealth benefits; and contractualization.

City focuses on IT growth

Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia met with the IT Focus Team yesterday in preparation for their quest to help the Information and Communications Techonolgy sector in Bacolod City in the next three years.

Councilor Jocelle Batapa-Sigue said they hope to increase the program in human resource development for the whole ICT sector. Batapa-Sigue yesterday thanked the Mayor for directing Executive Assistant Joe Marie Vargas to concentrate on ICT and Human Resource. She said this only shows that the city government under the Leonardia administration considers it a priority to undertake programs for human resource and to address the concerns of the ICT.

Lotilla quits DOE,
replaced by Reyes

MANILA - President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo yesterday reshuffled her cabinet after Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla resigned, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said yesterday.

Lotilla was replaced by Environment Secretary Angelo Reyes, who in turn will be succeeded by former Manila Mayor Joselito Atienza at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Lotilla said in his resignation letter that he wanted a new job outside the government.

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