DOLE-1 reminds employers on pay rules for Eid’l Fitr

“Employers should observe the pay rules for the regular holiday on July 6.” 

This statement was issued by DOLE-1 Regional Director Grace Ursua following the issuance of Labor Advisory No. 09, series of 2016 by newly installed Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III. 

The Labor Advisory stipulates the rules for the payment of wages on July 6 which was proclaimed regular holiday by President Rodrigo Duterte through Proclamation No. 6 in observance of Eid’l Fitr or the Feast of Ramadhan. 

Based on the said advisory, the computation of wages on July 6 is as follows: 

1.      If the employee did not work, he/she shall be paid 100% of his/her salary for that day [(Daily rate + COLA) x 100%];

2.      For work done during the regular holiday, the employee shall be paid 200% of his/her regular salary for that day for the first eight hours [(Daily rate + COLA) x 200%];

3.      For work done in excess of eight hours (overtime work), he/she shall be paid an additional 30% of his/her hourly rate on said day [Hourly rate of the basic daily wage x 200% x 130% x number of hours worked];

4.      For work done during a regular holiday that also falls on his/her rest day, he/she shall be paid an additional 30% of his/her daily rate of 200%[(Daily rate + COLA) x 200%] + [30% (Daily rate x 200%)], and

5.      For work done in excess of eight hours (overtime work) during a regular holiday that also falls on his/her rest day, he/she shall be paid an additional 30% of his/her hourly rate on said day (Hourly rate of the basic daily wage x 200% x 130% x 130% x number of hours worked). 

“As we join our Muslim brothers and sisters in celebrating Eid’l Fitr, you can put more meaning in the occasion by giving your workers what is due them,” Director Ursua told employers. 

She said workers who will not be paid correctly should visit the nearest field offices of the DOLE in the cities of Laoag (Ilocos Norte), Vigan (Ilocos Sur), San Fernando (La Union), Dagupan (Central Pangasinan), Alaminos (Western Pangasinan) and in Rosales (Eastern Pangasinan).  END/Arly Sta. Ana-Valdez

Gov. Marcos lauds Ilocos Norte PNP for ‘most peaceful election ever recorded’

Governor Imee Marcos and the local police officers led by Provincial Director 
Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., 
after receiving their cash incentives and certificates of recognition for their 
outstanding performance in ensuring a safe and peaceful elections on May 2016.

The Ilocos Norte police force were honored by Governor Imee Marcos on Tuesday, June 28, 2016 for their outstanding performance in ensuring a secure, safe and fair conduct of the national and local elections.

Led by Provincial Director Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., 12 top rank officials and 23 chiefs of police from every city and municipal police station received their certificates of recognition and cash incentives during the inauguration of the new provincial officials of Ilocos Norte at the Plaza Del Norte Convention Center, Laoag City.

In her speech after her public oath-taking, Governor Marcos lauded the local police force for achieving a zero shooting incident in Ilocos Norte during the election period.

“It is the first in the history of Ilocandia that not a single shooting incident occurred and it is the most peaceful election ever recorded,” Governor Marcos stated.

Recently, she urged local officials to remain true to their commitment in government service, while emphasizing that peace and order is essential to overall development.

In a separate interview early this week, Governor Marcos also expressed full support to President Rodrigo Duterte administration’s plans to fight criminality in the country.

Governor Imee Marcos awards the certificate of recognition to 
Provincial Director Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. 
for his exemplary contribution in ensuring a secure, safe and fair conduct of the 
national and local elections.

Meanwhile, her six-minute inaugural speech on Tuesday reflected her administration’s determination to sustain development in all sectors of the province especially education, transportation, health care and social welfare.

“Sabi ni Apo Digong Duterte, ‘change is coming’ at hindi tayo magpapahuli dito sa Ilocos Norte…Bigyan natin ng pansin ang mga sektor na nakakalimutan—ang mga PWD at may kapansanan, IP natin o indigenous people, at forever minamahal, ang ating señoritas and señoritos, ang mga senior citizens! Change is coming, at dapat hindi barya-barya ang tulong dito sa Ilocos Norte,” she said.—Jennifer T. Pambid, PGIN-CMO

INPPO, CPPO partner for Claveria drug bust, enlist help of community

Police officers of Cagayan and Ilocos Norte unearth seven black plastic bags and one large blue ice box containing a total of 180-kg of methamphetamine or "shabu." (Photos from INPPO)

                             

In line with Gov. Imee R. Marcos' call to intensify efforts against illegal drugs in the province, the Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Office (INPPO) joined the Cagayan Police Provincial Office (CPPO) for a drug bust Sunday, July 3.

An amount of 180-kg of methamphetamine or "shabu" were dug up and recovered during the joint operation at an abandoned farm lot in Brgy. Culao, Clavera, Cagayan.

Police Senior Superintendent Jose M. Nartates, acting provincial director, explained the INPPO's participation in the drug bust, "In-ensure natin na makukuha 'yon kasi our assumption is that a part of this contraband would definitely,'pag nagamit 'yan, pupunta dito sa atin."

He also shared that in Ilocos Norte, the number of contrabands being found is decreasing while the number of arrests is increasing, showing that pushers are beginning to face difficulties distributing the narcotics. He revealed a tally of 180 personalities rounded up from January to June 2016 compared to an average of less than a hundred within the same period in previous years.

The eradication of use of illegal drugs in the province has to be "a whole government approach," he added, saying that the INPPO focuses on the reduction of demand and supply.

On demand, they are actively campaigning in schools, barangays, and organizational events against the use of drugs, while reduction of supply is steadily being addressed by the arrests and drug operations.

In response to President Rodrigo R. Duterte's aggressive onslaught against illegal drugs, Gov. Marcos said, "Wilco, Apo Presidente! We have successfully intercepted this huge transshipment and will continue to be on red alert versus illegal drugs."

INPPO is also currently conducting mandatory drug testing among all police personnel with July 8 as the deadline for completion.

"We are cleansing our ranks," Nartates said.

He also shared that many pushers and users within the province have already lined up to surrender, though many may be reluctant because of their pronouncement that those who surrender must do so to the local chief executive and reveal the source of their illegal drug supply.

Of the drug pushers themselves, he said, "What's the use of surrendering kung… isu-surrender mo yung sarili mo? Surrender mo yung drugs mo at tiyaka paraphernalia mo."

Gov. Marcos expressed her sentiments, "180-kg of 'shabu' would have ruined countless lives and families! May we request the support of the national government, especially Chief Bato, in liaising with Taiwanese, Hong Kong, and Chinese anti-narcotics agencies and police to put a stop these drug shipments?"

Recently, two top drug personalities were gunned down first in Paoay, and then in Bangui. However, Nartates continues to urge constant vigilance in the province, "There is a possibility that there is a laboratory, even here in Ilocos Norte… What we need is strong participation of the population, our stakeholders, our clients: the community."—Mizpah Grace G. Castro, PGIN-CMO

DTI to open first ever Arabica Coffee Postharvest Processing and Cupping Laboratory in the country

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on July 7, 2016 will open the first ever Shared Service Facility (SSF) Project for Arabica Coffee Postharvest Processing and Cupping Laboratory in the country at the Benguet State University (BSU) in the Cordillera Administrative Region.

Strategically located at the BSU, the Coffee Postharvest Processing and Cupping Laboratory is expected to continue research and extension services of the University to Coffee farmers in the Cordillera Region, improve the quality of Arabica coffee products in the Cordillera Region, enhance income generation of Arabica coffee farmers and processors from quality Arabica Coffee products, which will also eventually create alternative job opportunities to coffee farmers and their families.

The facility is also expected to improve postharvest processing methods of Arabica coffee in the production of quality coffee products; provide excellent service to coffee producers and processors; establish quality protocol in the production, postharvest processing, packaging and marketing of coffee products; and disseminate developed technologies on quality production, postharvest processing; and packaging to coffee farmers, processors and other stakeholders.

DTI-Regional Operations Group (DTI-ROG) Supervising Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya said that the facility will be a big boost not only to the coffee industry but to coffee farmers as well.

“We have partnered with the Benguet State University to lift the coffee industry, especially the Arabica Coffee. As we all know, Arabica coffee is one of the ten high value crops in the Cordillera Administrative Region and is recognized to be of excellent quality by the Coffee Foundation Institute of the Philippines,” Maglaya said.

Under the agreement with DTI-CAR, the Benguet State University (BSU) will be the laboratory’s cooperator, who will manage and technically assist the facility while DTI-CAR Regional Office will regularly conduct monitoring and evaluation on site to ensure efficiency of service.

The DTI identified BSU as cooperator for its active research, extension, instruction and production of organically grown Arabica coffee.

Initially, the facility shall serve as a coffee laboratory and will later become a service center for coffee postharvest processing in order to attain its objectives.  The use of the facility shall be free on the first year of operation and minimal service fees shall be collected on succeeding years.

The total project cost for this SSF Project is P4,048,000.

PRO-COR: 85 Drug Users and Cultivators Surrendered in A Day

Camp Bado Dangwa, La Trinidad, Benguet: At least 85 drug users and cultivators surrendered in a day to the Police Regional Office Cordillera (PRO-COR) during the implementation of “TOKHANG” in the first day of July.

 

The new Chief PNP PCSUPT Ronald Dela Rosa is optimistic that the PNP will succeed in bringing Oplan Tokhang (Toktok-Hangyo or Knock and Plead) nationwide because of the high respect for the leadership of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte who vowed in his campaign to end criminality in three to six months.

In Mt. Province, eight (8) drug users of which four top suspected drug personalities in the municipality of Bauko, Mt. Province surrendered themselves to the personnel of Bauko MPS with the assistance of their respective barangay officials while another 4 drug users turned in themselves to the  joint personnel of Bontoc MPS, SAIDU and  PAIDU.

 

In Benguet,  77 marijuana cultivators and drug users of which 60 identified marijuana cultivators from barangays Badeo and Tacadang, Kibungan, Benguet voluntarily surrendered to Kibungan MPS while seven (7) drug users voluntarily submitted themselves to the personnel of La Trinidad MPS. In the municipality of Mankayan, seven (7) drug users accompanied by their relatives and some barangay officials likewise voluntary surrendered to Mankayan MPS while two from itogon and one (1) from tuba also surrendered to the personnel of Itogon and Tuba MPS.

 

These individuals who voluntarily surrendered to the highland cops vowed to stop their involvement in the illegal drug trade, use and cultivation by signing a covenant as a sign of their seriousness. Afterwards they will be profiled and undertake a drug test. They will be given a second chance but they will be monitored and they will be arrested if they will repeat their illegal activities but those who remain stubborn, they will face the government’s iron fist.

 

Aside from the surrender of drug users and cultivators, four drug personalities were arrested during the continuous service of warrants and buy-bust operation conducted by PRO-COR operatives in July 1, 2016.

 

While in Benguet’s No. 9 in the Watch List of Drug Personality of Benguet PPO and No. 3 TMWP in the Municipality of Kibungan, Benguet for the 3^rd Qtr CY 2016 identified as Oliver Padiw Tay-ew, 26,marijuana cultivator, and a resident of Tacadang, Kibungan, Benguet was arrested in Tamog-o, Poblacion, Kibungan, Benguet by the Trackers team of Kibungan MPS and PDEA-CAR. Judge Danilo P. Camacho, presiding Judge of RTC Br. 62, La Trinidad, Benguet recommended no bail for his liberty.

 

Ifugao’s No.1 in the Watch List of Ifugao PPO identified as Dennis Padilan Bulahao, 46, and a security guard and a drug pusher in Lagawe, Ifugao  was arrested in his resident in Brgy. Poblacion West, Lagawe, Ifugao by the joint personnel of PAIDSOTG, PIB, Tinoc MPS, Hingyon MPS and IPPSC in coordination with the PDEA-CAR. Seized from his possession were one piece of heat sealed transparent plastic sachet containing suspected “SHABU” and marked money worth P500 peso bill.

 

Moreover, two Maranao sunglass vendors were arrested in a series of buy-bust operation conducted: Arrested suspects were identified as Ombao Tiboron Sultan, 57, a resident of 177 Happy Homes Ferdinand Barangay, Baguio City and Alimodin Mangompiya Langco, 39, and a resident ofNo. 112 Happy Homes Ferdinand Barangay, Baguio City where they were arrested.

 

Contrabands seized from Sultan were marked money amounting to P500.00; Three pieces heat sealed transparent plastic sachet containing suspected shabu; Disposable lighter; One homemade cal.38 Revolver, smith and Wesson with six pieces cartridges; One caliber .45 pistol COLT Stainless with markings “Gold Cup National Match”; Two magazines for cal. 45 with 16 pieces cartridges; and One Maranao ID. While seized in the possession of Langco items were two pcs Heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing suspected “shabu” weighing a total of more or less 3.52 gram; buy-bust money worth P500.00; assorted drug paraphernalia; One Black Sony Cellphone; One colored Black and red Myphone Cellphone; and Seven pieces live ammunition for cal. 38

 

PRO-COR with its relentless campaign against illegal drugs continuously conduct anti-drug crackdown and warning against the threat of "narco-politics" in the region and we need to work together with the government and private sectors to wipe out this drug menace. The PNP is also clearing-out its ranks of police officers involved in the illegal drug trade. (PRO-COR RPIO)