ILOILO CITY — The National Statistics Office (NSO) will conduct surveys including Saturdays in sample households in the provinces of Iloilo and Guimaras until October 30.

"This is in order to meet our completion target date as our field operations are expected to be completed 20 days from October 8 to October 30, 2010," said NSO-Iloilo Provincial Statistician, Nelida Amolar.

This October, the NSO is conducting four simultaneous surveys nationwide – the Labor Force Survey (LFS), Survey on Census Communication Program (SCCP), 2010 Survey on Overseas Filipinos (SOF) and 2010 Household Survey for Domestic Visitor (HSDV). The LFS gathers data on employment and unemployment situation of the country while the SOF aims to collect information on Filipinos who went overseas during the last five years.

On the other hand, the SCCP seeks to evaluate effectiveness of programs in promoting the 2010 Census of Population and Housing and the HSDV gathers data on household information in domestic tourism that is vital to the effective and efficient development and implementation of tourism plans and programs.

Of the 12,500 sample households in the country, Amolar said 1,162 samples are from Iloilo and Guimaras.

4th Leyte Business Month Launched

TACLOBAN CITY – So as to showcase the province of Leyte during the 4th Leyte Business Month in October, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Leyte has spearheaded several important activities, DTI Leyte Director Desiderio Belas informed.

First among the DTI Leyte-led activities is the IT, Tourism, Agri-Trade Fair which will feature One Town One Product (OTOP) gifts, decors and houseware products; processed food; and the IT and Tourism sectors. The Fair opens Monday and will last until Oct. 22. Store hours will be from 9 a.m. until p.m.in the evening.

Opening Monday will start with a motorcade along major thoroughfares at 9 a.m.; formal opening of the Trade Fair is at 10 a.m. This afternoon, the Bayong Design Competition will be conducted at the People's Center's Exhibit Area. Belas said nine DTI-assisted producers will participate in this competition.

DOLE Inspects Establishments in W. Visayas

ILOILO CITY (PNA) — The Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) in Western Visayas has completed inspection of 51 percent of business establishments scattered throughout the region.

DoLE Assistant Regional Director Crispin Dannug said 69 percent of 1,233 establishments examined passed the Labor Enforcement Action Program requisites, while 31 percent were found violating labor laws.

The DoLE executive said already visited were Antique, Capiz, Iloilo, Aklan, and parts of Negros Occidental. Usual labor infractions include underpayment of minimum wage, non-payment of overtime and other service incentives, Tanog said.

Overall, Dannug expressed satisfaction over the firms' quick response to labor-related deficiencies as many have already complied with government-set rules and regulations. The routine DoLE inspection of business firms is now on its third month, and the next to be comprehensively checked will be those in Negros Occidental provinces.