The Trade Union of Filipino Workers-Negros Occidental Chapter yesterday filed a petition for a P97 daily wage increase in Western Visayas before the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board, RTWPB labor representative Wennie Sancho said.

The TUFW Negros Occidental chapter headed by Randy Ronquillo   pointed out that the purchasing power of workers in Western Visayas has been eroded by P97 since January 2009, as shown by National Statistics Office and National Wages and Productivity Commission data, Sancho said.

The wage increase is needed to restore the workers purchasing power, Sancho stressed.

There may be more barangays in Bacolod City that will be “sealed off” to prevent the spread of illegal drugs, newly installed city police officer-in-charge, Senior Supt. Ricardo de la Paz, said yesterday.

De la Paz assumed his Bacolod post yesterday as a temporary replacement to city police director, Senior Supt. Celestino Guara, who is still recuperating from injuries he sustained in a vehicular accident last week.

Illegal drug traders may transfer their operation to other barangays in Bacolod, since the city police have already formed an Anti-Illegal Drugs Task Force that had “sealed off” barangays 1, 2, and 22, which are considered as seriously affected by illegal drugs, De la Paz said.

The celebrated Philippine national football team is arriving in Bacolod City tonight with new coach Michael Weiss and officials of the Philippine Football Federation.

Silay City Mayor Jose “Oti” Montelibano said the team is expected to arrive 6 p.m. at the Bacolod-Silay Airport and will proceed to Bacolod City for a welcome dinner to be hosted by Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr.

Montelibano said they are also planning to host a welcome party for the Azkals but everything will depend on the schedule of the team.