CEBU CITY (PNA) – The Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) 7 said because they lack inspectors, it can only inspect 4,000 of the 54,000 business establishments in Central Visayas to see if these firms are paying their workers the minimum wage.

DoLE 7 Director Elias Cayanong said while the new daily minimum wage of P285 took effect last September 1, they will start their evaluation and hold advocacy forums with stakeholders on October 1.

Cayanong said even if the number of monitoring teams are increased from seven to 22, only 10 to 12 firms a week can be inspected. He said hearings and computations are also held by his agency once violations are found out. ”We are trying our best to strictly implement the new wage order.

And because we can only inspect about 4,000 establishments, we are prioritizing the firms facing cases filed by employees,” Cayanong said, adding that in inspecting business establishments, they have to look at the payroll system.

Troops join anti-dengue activities

DUMAGUETE CITY (PNA) – Troopers of the 11th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine took part in a two-day clean up drive in two selected villages in northern Negros Oriental in support of the ongoing campaign against the dengue virus.

The activity was held for two days in the villages of P. Zamora in Guihulngan City and in Pisong in La Libertad.

The clean-up drive is part of the dengue awareness campaign instituted by the local governments of La Libertad and Guihulngan following reports of increasing cases of the viral disease that has so far caused the death of eight people in Negros Oriental this year.

The activities were participated in by the rural health unit headed by Nannet Crismend; teachers of Pisong Elementary School, headed by teacher-in-charge Ben Casas; barangay officials headed by village chief Roy Opada and some 60 residents of the said barangays.

Rural health unit representatives also lectured on the Department of Health’s 4-S campaign versus dengue.

Most outstanding tanods in WV awarded

ILOILO CITY (PNA) – The awarding for the Western Visayas Most Outstanding Barangay Tanod for group and individual categories was recently held at the SM City here in Iloilo city.

The awarding recognizes barangay tanods’ important contribution in the maintenance of peace and order and high sense of volunteerism.

Department of Interior and Local Government Assistant Regional Dir. Arnel Agabe, who led the awarding, said the awardees in the regional search were identified after they won on the basis of voluntary services they have rendered to their respective barangays in the provincial level.

The awardees for group category are Bgy. Igcocolo of Guimbal town in Iloilo province as champion; Bgy. Polo of New Washington town in Aklan province as first runner up; and Bgy. Ilaya-Ivisan of Ivisan municipality as second runner-up.

Awardees for individual category are Sergio D. Perucho of Bgy. Polo, New Washington, Aklan as champion; Warlito G. Pagran of Bgy. Antipolo, Pontevedra, Negros Occidental as 1st runner up; and Juvy Galon of Bgy. Concordia, Sibunag, Guimaras as second runner up.