IN BRIEF

Tolentino seeks justice for abused ‘kasambahay’

SENATOR Francis Tolentino said he joins the call for justice for a 44-yearold ‘kasambahay’ who was allegedly abused by the family of her employer in Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro.

He said the Philippine Legal Justice Center (PLJC), which he founded, is closely monitoring and actively collaborating with the lead counsel of Elvie Verga, the household helper who allegedly suffered physical, emotional, and psychological tortures at the hands of her employer in the last three years.

As chairman ng Committee on Justice and Human Rights, Tolentino said he is still studying if his committee will conduct a hearing on the matter.

Vergara was reportedly subjected to relentless physical and emotional maltreatment by her employer—a married couple and their two relatives— from 2020 to 2023, which later caused visual and hearing impairments to the victim.

Macon Ramos-Araneta

DOLE: Firms must follow rules on holiday pay

THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reminded private companies of the proper payment of wages on August 21, Ninoy Aquino Day, and August 28, National Heroes Day.

Labor Secretary Bienvenido

Laguesma issued Labor Advisory No. 17, Series of 2023 on August 10 which stipulates the proper computation of workers’ wages for the declared special (non-working) day on August 21 and regular holiday on August 28.

The advisory prescribes the following pay rules for the special (non-working) days.

For employees who did not report for work, the “no work, no pay” principle shall apply unless there is a favorable company policy, practice, or collective bargaining agreement (CBA) granting payment on a special day.

Vito Barcelo

44K vehicles involved in accidents in Jan-July

THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) reported that 44,493 vehicles were involved in accidents in Metro Manila from January to July of this year. Of the number, 32,800 incidents resulted in damage to property, 168 were fatal, and 11,525 resulted in injuries.

Latest reports from the MMDA Traffic Engineering Center revealed that four-wheelers were the most commonly involved vehicles in accidents, comprising about 45,000 of the total.

The agency also cited that there was also an increase in accidents in the last quarter of 2022, coinciding with the imposition of the Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) on the MMDA’s No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP).

The monitored traffic violations since the suspension of NCAP have also increased. Joel E. Zurbano years ng lockdown,” Gatchalian said. During the pandemic, around 700,000 families were initially removed from the list due to reported improved conditions due to improved conditions but struggled once the lockdown affected the country’s economy.

Then, an additional 700,000 families were also left unassessed due to strict protocols implemented during the lockdown, which would sum up to 1.4 million families out of the 4.4 million households included in the program.

Due to these numbers, Gatchalian said that DSWD has decided to reassess the list of 4Ps beneficiaries to properly pick those who are in need.

“The decision of the department is to reassess. So, the reassessment is still ongoing and it would be completed by September to let choose the right beneficiaries for 4Ps,” he said.

The DSWD has received P151 billion for 2023 as part of its social protection programs, which includes the 4Ps cash assistance making up the biggest chunk of its fund. Charles Dantes