New COVID-19 cases near 13,000

New COVID-19 cases neared 13,000  even as few deaths were reported, the Department of Health (DOH) reported Tuesday.

New cases are now at 12,942 after 224 cases were reported. Seventy-eight percent, or  174 cases came from the National Capitol Region.

This is the ninth day that 200-plus new cases are reported.

Deaths reached 837, with seven announced by the DOH.

Recoveries totalled 2,843 with 114 patients recovered from COVID-19.  DMS

Labor group opposes DOLE advisory temporarily adjusting employees’ wage and wage-related benefits

A labor group said they opposed an advisory of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) that employees and employers may agree , voluntarily and in writing, to temporarily adjust employees’ wage and wage-related benefits as provided for in existing employment contract, company policy, or collective bargaining agreement (CBA).
The labor department  advisory, issued Monday, added:  provided that the said adjustments in wage and benefits should not exceed six months, or the period mandated in their CBAs.
In a statement, the Nagkaisa Labor Coalition (Nagkaisa) denounced Labor Advisory No. 17-2020, where DOLE proposed wage and benefits adjustments to help preserve jobs  while companies get back on track.
“DOLE is giving employers a blank check to roll back the gains made by the unions and even pay their workers starvation wages! Nagkaisa believes that this proposition is highly disadvantageous to workers,” said Nagkaisa.
Nagkaisa urged Labor  Secretary Silvestre Bello III to immediately recall the advisory.
“The State must never allow itself to become a party to employers’ latest trick to shortchange their workers,” it furthered.
Nagkaisa said such a scenario would open the possibility of employers further abusing their workers.
“Workers, especially those who are unorganized, may have no option except to follow the wishes of their employers as many unscrupulous employers would simply threaten workers with dismissals or company closures if they don’t ‘voluntarily’ agree to rollback their wages and other wage-related benefits,” it added.
Nagkaisa said such a policy may be retained even after the public health crisis and even after companies have recovered their losses.
“From the looks of it, it would be difficult to reinstate the previous wage levels enjoyed by workers as the (advisory) allows employers to review their agreement and may renew the same after six months,” said Nagkaisa. DMS

Three cops removed from posts for transporting boxes of liquor

Three police officers were removed from posts for transporting boxes of liquor in different parts of  in Western Visayas, the Philippine National Police ( PNP) regional director said on Monday.

Brigadier General Rene Pamuspusan, Western Visayas regional director, said  Staff Sergeant Roy Panaguiton from the Sebaste Municipal Police,  Corporal Arnie Luminario from Iloilo City Police Office, and Staff Sergeant Paul Pingoy from the regional  headquarters are facing criminal and administrative charges.

“(They were) relieved from their assignments,” Pamuspusan said.

Pamuspusan said the three police officers were apprehended at different quarantine control points in Antique and Iloilo province for transporting boxes of liquor.

Charges for violating Art 151 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC), Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act and Bayanihan Act were filed against the police officers.

Pamuspusan commended the courage and discipline of the PNP personnel manning checkpoints for arresting against the offenders and for confiscating the contraband.

Pamuspusan assured the public that they are serious in ensuring discipline among their personnel  in Police Regional Office 6. Ella Dionisio/DMS