DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental (PNA) — Employees, to include conductors and drivers, of a big transport group in the Visayas and Mindanao are divided as to which labor union to affiliate with even as they are set to vote in a certification election scheduled November 29, this year. The certification election is hotly contested by employees of Vallar Transit, Inc., operator of Ceres buses under the Philippine Agricultural, Commercial, Industrial Workers Union (PACIWU) and employees under the Associated Labor Union-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines led by Edgar Baldelovar. To vote during the certification election are over 5,000 employees, more than 2,000 of them in Bacolod City, over 1,200 in Cebu, over 800 in Iloilo and 700 more in this city.

BRILLANTES’ VIEW  

CEBU CITY, Cebu (PNA) — Commission on Elections Chairman Sixto Brillantes, Jr. said Cebu’s 4th district will only be placed under Comelec control if there is actual violence. He said the situation should be grave enough to warrant Comelec’s control. The move to put the district under Comelec control was raised by opposing camps in northern Cebu’s 4th district, by Rep. Benhur Salimbangon on one side and Bogo City Mayor Celestino Martinez Jr. on the other. Martinez’s son Celestino lll is running against Salimbangon in the congressional election in 2013. Brillantes suggested instead that the area be declared by Comelec as an “area of immediate concern.” He said there is no area in the country yet that has been placed under Comelec control.

MARINE ENGINES

SAN ENRIQUE, Negros Occidental (PIA) — The San Enrique local government under Mayor Mario E. Magno has turned over 18 marine engines to two local fishermen associations here. Mayor Mario E. Magno said the 18 marine engines were provided by the provincial government for the two fishermen associations – 10 engines for the Tabao Baybay Small Fishermen Association (Tabasfa) and eight to the Sitio Utod Fishermen Association. Tabasfa president Calixto Crispe said that it is the first time for the association to receive this kind of assistance, citing that the marine engines are very beneficial to their livelihood as fisherfolks.

G.K. RUN

CEBU CITY, Cebu (PIA) — The 1st Gawad Kalinga (GK) Cebu Run dubbed ‘Takbo Ng Mga Bayani” is set today Sunday, November 25 at Mandaue City’s Park Mall. The activity honors ordinary heroes and event proceeds will go to the general fund of GK Cebu for its various projects. There are four run categories: 3K, 6K, 12K and 21K. GK is a foundation seeking to build communities working towards poverty alleviation. Its vision is to build a nation empowered by people with faith and patriotism and a nation made up of caring and sharing communities dedicated to eradicate poverty and restore human dignity.

MULTI-PURPOSE BUILDING

STA. FE, Leyte (PIA) — A two-storey multi-purpose building is being constructed in Brgy. San Juan, Sta. Fe, Leyte. The building is a project of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)’s Leyte First Engineering District, wherein said building is provided with a toilet and will be painted upon its completion. The 85-percent finished two-story building, costing P1.481 million, will serve Brgy. San Juan officials as they now will have a venue for their various activities such as barangay assemblies, parties, programs, and community meetings.  Said project is under contract with JCW Construction.