Mgm’t offers P10,
non-wage benefits
AT WESTERN VISAYAS RTWPB HEARINGS
BY NESTOR P. BURGOS JR. & NANETTE GUADALQUIVER

Despite rising prices of rice and other basic commodities, employers in Western Visayas are amenable only to granting non-wage benefits and not the P50 to P125 increase in minimum daily wages being demanded by workers.

Most of the employers in the region voiced this position during the four public consultations of the Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board held in Antique, Capiz, Aklan and Iloilo.

“Some employers are willing to grant an increase in the daily minimum wage but majority said they could only afford non-wage benefits,” Department of Labor and Employment regional director, Aida Estabillo, who also chairs the RTWPB, said.

Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro announced yesterday the appointment of Negrense Lt. Gen. Victor Ibrado as the new commanding general of the 82,000-strong Philippine Army that was approved by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Ibrado, of Sagay City, Negros Occidental, was chosen from the list of three nominees that included Lt. Gen. Rodrigo Maclang who was designated as Armed Forces of the Philippines deputy chief of staff, and Lt. Gen. Cardoso Luna who was also named AFP vice-chief of staff, military records show.

Ibrado will replace Army chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano who was recently designated as AFP chief of staff, replacing Gen. Hermogenes Esperon whose term of office has been extended by President Arroyo to May 14.

Gov. Isidro Zayco yesterday said he hopes top energy officials who will meet with local officials and stakeholders today will have some solutions to the constant brownouts in Negros Occidental, especially in the Central Negros Electric Cooperative coverage area,   amid rising complaints from consumers.

Expected to arrive for the meeting at the Nature’s Village Resort in Talisay City 6 p.m. today are Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes, National Power Corp. president Cyril del Callar and National Transmission Commission president Arthur Aguilar

They will discuss mitigating measures to address the power situation in the Visayas grid, a DOE media advisory said.