SAN JOSE, Antique – Bringing holiday cheers, Antique provincial government agencies distributed lechon and medicines to Antiqueño sacadas working in Negros Occidental on Dec. 18.
The distribution was in line with the annual Bisita Sacada Program.
Sacadas from 13 haciendas were able to receive their share of lechon and medicines, which were picked up by their respective milling representatives at Hacienda Carmen Grande in Pontevedra, Negros Occidental.
Sacadas in seven more haciendas receive lechon and medicines on Dec. 19.
Atty. Dino Yulo, Sugar Regulatory Administration director, was present during the distribution.
“Nagapasalamat kami sa provincial government sang Antique, labi na gid sa kay Gov. Rhodora Cadiao, aton Sacada Help Desk…dako gid nga bulig sa amon nga ari di’ subong atun migratory sugarcane workers. Sa tunga sang pandemya…sulhay katama galing namon kay ari diri aton nga mga Antiqueño,” he said.
The Sacada Desk headed by Randy Ardeño also inspected the sacadas’ dwellings and checked their wellbeing.
Bisita Sacada ensures that Antiqueño sacadas are protected and treated fairly in each plantation.
Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) set strict guidelines for both plantation owners and sacadas alike before operations could be resumed for this crop season.
The guidelines were in sync with health protocols such as maximum occupancy per barracks, provision of disinfectants and washable facemasks, first aid kit in each barrack, personnel trained in first aid, and a designated isolation area if workers feel unwell.
A DOLE field officer monitors each plantation every month. (Antique PIO/PN)
