ILOILO CITY – Employers in Iloilo are offering a P5 per day cost of living allowance or non-wage benefits instead of a wage increase to workers.

The Iloilo Business Club said that while they understand the plight of employees, businesses can only afford to grant the Cola and non-wage benefits because the cost of operating a business has also significantly increased.

In a position paper signed by its executive director Maria Lea Victoria Lara, the IBC said, “Prices of production inputs and raw materials are now more expensive, thereby affecting volume, demand and retail prices of commodities. Government imposed taxes such as local business taxes/permits have also increased. The cost of fuel worldwide continues to go up with some predictions that oil prices will hit the $200.00 per barrel mark before the year ends.”

‘Gov’t to raise minimum
pay amid crisis’

MANILA – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said yesterday her government will raise the country's minimum wage amid soaring food and energy prices that have pushed inflation to three-year highs.

She said the government, employers and trade unions had agreed in principle to a P20 rise in the minimum weekly wage, which is currently P362, in the national capital and its surrounding region.

A formal announcement was expected shortly, she told reporters.

Negros workshop on
jewelry business set

An intensive workshop on jewelry entrepreneurship will be held at the Negros Museum in cooperation with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts on May 25 to 29, a press release from organizers said.  

The workshop, in line with Negros Museum Artist Development and Sustainability Program, will be conducted by Fra Paolo Maria Diosdado Granados y Casurao, artistic director of the Atelier San Gabriel based in Samar, as part of his ongoing work for his congregation's Cultural Mission and Development Initiatives.

It will cover conceptualization, design principles, creation of high quality jewelry accessories and will feature two exhibit openings during the week, Atelier San Gabriel’s Exhibit, including Fray Paolo’s art pieces, and an Exhibit for Sale of the workshop output, the press release said.

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