House gives nod to P8.9-B Panay rehab fund

Panay local executives and residents pin their hopes on the Senate to approve the P8.9-billion Panay Rehabilitation Fund following its approval by the House of Representatives last week.

House majority leader Arthur Defensor said the measure was immediately transmitted to the Senate for their approval.

President Adviser Raul Banias for Western Visayas optimistically predicted Senate approval of the same when the chamber resumes its session in January next year.

It may be a bit late. But still, local executives and residents hope that the measure will gain the nod of the Senate even if it is a bit delayed since the damage done by typhoon Frank had devastated large tracts of land and wiped out many homes.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had certified the bill as urgent, Banias said.

Incidentally, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro will head the commission that will handle the rehabilitation of the Panay area with the Regional Development Council and other agencies involved.

The original chairman of the rehabilitation program – Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez – had been replaced by Teodoro following a hubbub of complaints from local executives.

That’s still the best Christmas news for Panay victims of Frank. And it is worth the wait.

Most of the projects embodied in the measure included bridges, roads, hospitals and schools which were heavily damaged by Frank.

Remedy the delay

Despite the fact that Christmas is fast approaching, Provincial administrator Manuel Mejorada of Iloilo took pains to remedy the alleged irregularities found by the Commission on Audit in the purchase of P144,750 planting materials requested by the Provincial Agriculture Office for the landscaping of the Iloilo Rehabilitation Center in Pototan.

COA had earlier reported that only P16,800 of the ordered plants had been delivered to the IRC.

Mejorada, however, explained that the planting materials were “preserved” by the supplier – Cleafar Enterprises. The reason – Mejorada said “we cannot proceed with planting the landscaping plants due to the construction works at the IRC.”

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan had earlier mulled an investigation into the COA report.

This after the COA reported that purchase order was paid in full despite incomplete delivery.

“I wonder what the purpose of the investigation is,” Mejorada said while brushing of the contemplated probe by the SP.

He also explained that the “technical people of the provincial government are trying their best to fast-track the landscaping. Besides, he added, if the COA had found irregularities, we will straighten things out, was how he brushed off the SP probe.

Well, by January, if Mejorada is to be believed, things will be eliminated more vigorously and the irregularities checked.

 Age increases start December 25

The labor department has issued an order reminding employers of the new minimum wage increase of P15 a day for Western Visayas that will take effect tomorrow, Christmas Day.

That’s good news for employees. Labor Regional Director Aida Estabillo said the P15 wage hike is embodied in Wage Order No. 17 approved recently by the Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board.

Estabillo also warned that those employers who failed to deliver their 13 month pay to employees due last Dec. 15 face possible sanctions.

This means that agricultural workers will received P218 a day, while non-plantation workers will receive P208 daily.

In short, commercial firms employing more than 10 workers will have to pay P250 a day. Those with less than 10 and handicrafts will have to work over P208 daily.

Well, at least that’s a comforting note to many for the Christmas holidays.

ADDENDA. Visitors to Boracay Island resort totalled more than half a million mark by November, this year and could reach the 2007 mark of 596,748 last year. As of November, the provincial tourism office, of Boracay reported that tourists reached 577,868. Domestic tourists made up the bulk of the arrivals 351,890 with foreign tourists reached 178,412. In short, despite the problems that have beset local and foreign investors, tourists continue to patronize what has been billed as the best tourism destination of the country.