ANTIQUE – The provincial government is preparing to resume the “Bisita Sacada”, or the visit to its migrant sugar workers in Negros Occidental by provincial officials, in the second week of November.
The annual activity was temporarily stopped last year due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), said Randy Ardeño, in charge of the Sacada Desk of the provincial government.
The visit next month will be from Nov. 8 to 12.
Currently, there are about 4,000 Antique migrant sugar workers in Negros Occidental.
“The recent batch composed of 29 migrant sugar workers left for Negros Occidental on Oct. 10,” said Ardeño.
The visit is usually held before December so that provincial officials could bring Christmas joy to the sacadas.
For this year’s visit, “27 roasted pork or lechon would be given to the migrant sugar workers for their Christmas party,” said Ardeño.
Dec. 18 last year, the Antique provincial government agencies distributed lechon and medicines to Antiqueño sacadas working in Negros Occidental.
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.
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. (PNA)
