SOUNDBYTES, Issue No. 11 (June 21/05)

Minimum wage earners to get P10 Cola
Minimum wage earners could now regain their eroding purchasing power and cope with the rising cost of basic commodities and services after the Labor department reported the recent decision of giving the workers nationwide an additional P10 cost of living allowance.
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Need for labor-intensive employment sought
Cebu Rep. Eduardo Gullas proposed a national employment plan that would compel every agency and government-owned-and-controlled corporation to carry out more labor-intensive projects.
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Gov’t wage hike sought
Senator Mar Roxas said he would file a bill that will increase the salaries of about 1.2 million state employees.
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More Arroyo lands up for distribution
More than 250 hectares of agricultural lands in Negros Occidental owned by the family of First Gentleman Mike Arroyo are up for distribution in the next few months this year, the Department of Land Reform said, bringing the total of Arroyo lands distributed to more than 1,200 hectares.
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Bill to amend oil law filed
A pro-administration lawmaker has proposed specific amendments in the Downstream Oil Deregulation Law to ensure transparency in the pricing of oil products and encourage greater competition in the retail industry, which has been under the influence of giant oil companies.
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Focus on economic moves ordered
President Arroyo had told her economic managers to steer clear of the political ructions now buffeting her administration and keep their focus on the economy, Economic Planning Secretary Romulo Neri said.
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