ADIVAY? “In Benguet, that means let us come together and celebrate.” That is how I heard Benguet Governor Nestor Fongwan explain the word in a recent interview with an ABS-CBN crew right after the opening ceremonies for the Adivay Agri-Trade Fair at the Wangal Sports Complex, La Trinidad, Benguet last November 17. 2012.
 
There may be deeper and profound meanings to the word among the natives of Benguet. But let me pick up that simplified meaning for this write-up and join my voice to the chorus: “Adivay Benguet.” Cheers!

MANILA, Nov. 19 (PIA) -- Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas has identified 15 provinces in the priority watch list of the Philippine National Police where there could be violence during the upcoming 2013 midterm elections.

In a statement, Roxas said the police have also identified 60 active private armed groups (PAGs) and another 47 with potential to become PAGs that could be utilized by politicians to harass and intimidate voters during the May 13 polls.

The advisory also enumerates the allowances and monetary benefits not considered as part of the basic salary, such as the cash equivalent of unused vacation and sick leave credits, overtime pay, night shift differential pay, holiday pay, and cost-of-living allowance (COLA).

To ensure that no compromise will be done on the payment of the 13th month bonus, the advisory requires every covered employer to make a report of his compliance with the provision on the law on the 13th month pay to the nearest DOLE regional office not later than January 15 of each year.

CITY OF BALANGA, Bataan, Nov 16 (PIA) – Inspired by calls of the people for historical innovation, the city government of Balanga will launch a 192-page encyclopedia contains never-before-seen details about the Bataan capital.

The Balanga Encyclopedia consists of information on the city’s prominent people, places and events thoroughly researched and verified by the City of Balanga Historical Committee (CBHC).

MANILA, Philippines - The number of jobless Filipinos slightly increased from 26.6 percent in May to 29.4 percent in August, said the recent survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS).

The SWS poll, published in the newspaper BusinessWorld yesterday, showed 12 percent of the unemployed were those who resigned and 13 percent were those who lost their jobs. Five percent were first-time job seekers.