BY IME SORNITO
ANTIQUE – Sacadas, or migrant sugarcane workers, in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental will receive early Christmas gifts.
Starting today until Dec. 10., Antique governor Rhodora Cadiao is making time in her schedule to personally pay a visit to Antiqueño sacadas in Negros Occidental. The provincial government makes this effort to make them feel remembered and loved during this Christmas season.
“You know I grew up with sacadas eh. Mga kamag-anak ko sa Culasi, pinsan ko nga sacadas ang magulang, parang feeling ko it’s about time that somebody has to walk the talk,” Cadiao told Panay News.
She said the provincial government cannot simply stop and bar its constituents from working in sugar plantations in Negros Occidental. It can only support sacada workers and encourage them to break the intergenerational chain of having their children work as sacadas as well.
“Maybe if I have the chance to make them realize na mag-level na ang thinking nila, kasi kon sacada parang wala na, so tulongan mo sila at engganyuhon na ang mga anak nila mag-aral, para maputol na ‘yong chain na kung sacadas ang iyong pamilya mag-sacada na lang ‘yong mga bata,” the governor added.
During her visit, Cadiao will distribute food packs, medicines and Christmas gift packs.
She will also be distributing cash assistance to sacada workers, but the amount is yet to be determined.
Sacada workers will also be sharing lechon to make them feel the festive spirit of Christmas.
There are around 1,000 sacada workers in Negros Occidental, Cadiao said.
In the past few years, sacadas have been registered under the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to better protect their rights as workers and to avail themselves of government programs.
The Antique provincial government also provided free legal aid and livelihood assistance and, very recently, pushed for Social Security System pensions for every documented sacada. (With a report from PIO LAVEGA/Province of Antique)/PN
