Bohol, Cebu to get P27 M in shares from lotto sales

MANILA, Philippines - More than P27 million of their share from lotto sales will be given to cities and municipalities in Bohol and Cebu to assist in their earthquake relief efforts.

Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager Jose Ferdinand Rojas said provinces, cities, and municipalities hosting PCSO Lotto outlets are entitled to a certain percentage of sales from the outlets.

For sales during the period January to June 2013, Cebu will receive P24.36 million for the province, the cities of Toledo, Talisay, Naga, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu, Cebu City, Danao, Carcar, and Bogo, and the municipalities of Argao, Bantayan, Balamban, Carmen, Cordova, Consolacion, Compostela, Dalaguete, Liloan, Moalboal, Minglanilla, and Tuburan, he added.

For the same period, Bohol will receive P3.37 million for the province, the city of Tagbilaran, and the municipalities of Anda, Antequera, Alicia, Jagna, Loon, Talibon, Ubay, and Tubigon, Rojas said.

The Quezon City government is set to extend P4 million in financial assistance to the victims of the armed conflict in Zamboanga City and the earthquake victims in Bohol.

On Oct. 21, the city council adopted a resolution allowing Mayor Herbert Bautista to extend P2 million in financial assistance to earthquake victims in Bohol.

The amount was increased from the initial P1-million aid earlier included in the proposed resolution of Councilor Donato Matias.

Matias said a local disaster risk reduction and management council (LDRRMC) may transfer funds to support the work of other LDRRMC in areas declared under a state of calamity.

“The province of Bohol was declared under a state of calamity on Oct. 15 and all departments and government agencies were directed to implement and execute medical assistance, relief and rehabilitation work,” he said.

The budget will be taken from Quezon City’s disaster risk reduction and management fund or any other available fund.

Extra pay for workers

Boholanos who report for work after voting in the barangay elections on Nov. 25 will receive extra pay.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said a special working day has been declared in Bohol to enable residents to participate in the barangay elections.

The law provides that workers are entitled to receive additional 30 percent of their daily rate if they work during a special holiday, she added.

Baldoz said a worker must receive another 30 percent for work done in excess of eight hours, while those working on a special day that falls on their rest day shall be paid additional 50 percent.

A no work, no pay policy shall apply on Nov. 25 in Bohol unless company policy grants payment on the special day, Baldoz said. – With Janvic Mateo, Mayen Jaymalin