LIVELIHOOD ASSISTANCE. Sugar migrant workers or sacadas working in plantations in Negros Occidental load the sugarcane to the hauling truck in this photo taken on Jan. 19, 2023. Randy Ardeńo, in charge of the Sacada Desk, said in an interview Wednesday (Oct. 18, 2023) that selected sacadas can expect cash assistance for their livelihood from the Office of Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go. (Photo courtesy of Sacada Desk)
SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique – Selected 300 sugar migrant workers or sacadas from Antique working in vast plantations in Negros Occidental can expect an early Christmas gift of PHP10,000 each as livelihood assistance from the office of Senator Christopher Lawrence Go.
Antique’s in charge of the Sacada Desk, Randy Ardeño, said together with the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), they will travel to Negros Occidental next week to conduct an assessment.
The province has 4,000 registered sacadas working in Negros Occidental, but the priority will be those who have not received any assistance, he added.
They target to release the assistance totaling PHP3 million during the annual Bisita Sacada (Visit to the Sugar Migrants) set on Nov. 15-17, with a team from the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) to conduct a medical consultation.
The Bisita Sacada, an early Christmas gathering of the sugar migrants, will be in La Castellana town.
“The Negros Occidental provincial government is working out for the sacadas to be given a day off on Nov. 16, which will be the main event of the Bisita Sacada,” he said.
Ardeño said the living quarters of sacadas have improved, with adequate lighting, as an offshoot of the yearly visit.
“All the 4,000 sacadas from Antique are also now registered with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and insured with the Social Security System (SSS),” he said.
He said that the employers, through their contractors, also provide them with insurance coverage.
“So far, the situation of the sacadas in Negros Occidental is now better,” he said. (PNA)
