Management groups in Panay turned down the bid of labor for a P99 daily wage hike in Western Visayas and instead offered a P5 to P8 Emergency Cost of Living Allowance at a hearing conducted by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board in Iloilo City yesterday, Labor Regional Director Manuel Roldan said.

Iloilo business groups offered an ECOLA of P8 and Aklan businessmen offered a P5 ECOLA, Roldan, who also chairs the RTWPB in Western Visayas, said.

The Trade Union of Filipino Workers has a pending petition for a P97 wage hike, while the National Congress of Unions in the Sugar Industry of the Philippines - Trade Union Congress of the Philippines is seeking a P99 hike in Western Visayas.

An employee of a company dealing with air conditioning units  died and his companion was injured when they were electrocuted while installing a unit at a language school at Burgos Extension in Bacolod City yesterday.

The fatality was identified as Jessie dela Torre, 23, of Bago City, Negros Occidental, and employed by the Deka Sales based in Brgy. Alijis, Bacolod, by case investigator Police Officer 2 Raymond Bandojo.

Investigation showed that de la Torre and his companion, Marvin Genova, 18, of San Isidro in Pontevedra town, were installing the air conditioning unit at the building of the Jason English Language School at about 10: 30 a.m. when the incident happened.

The continuing infighting among members of the New People’s Army from Samar and those stationed in southern Negros has led to the surrender of a disgruntled local rebel leader and his brother to the 47th Infantry Battalion.

1Lt. Rey Balibagoso, 47th Infantry Battalion Civil Military Operations officer, said yesterday that the surrender of Carlito Pablo, alias Ka Revo, 38, and his younger brother, Gaudioso, alias Ka Rex, 35, was facilitated by Barangay Capt. Elir Boris of Camindangan, Sipalay City.

Military records show that the elder Pablo had served as leader of the Squad 2, Platoon 1 of the Sangay sa Partido-South West of the NPA, while his younger brother was a red fighter.