DSWD pledges support for displaced sugar workers

Negros Occidental (10 March) -- Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Esperanza Cabral during her latest visit in the province had a dialogue with Governor Isidro Zayco, other officials and stakeholders on measures to help mitigate the effect of the "tiempos muertos" or lean months for the sugar industry.

Cabral was briefed by the governor on the situation of the sugar cane workers come off milling in the next months.

"We are now in a dialogue with the governor, the mayor including the sugar planters so we can come up with what is necessary to help the displaced sugar workers. What are the needs, what can we provide for the local government," Cabral said when asked by local media here.

Meanwhile, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson USEC Anthony Golez told the local media that National Food Authority Administrator Jessup Navarro committed 15,000 bags of NFA rice to the province of Negros Occidental.

Cabral also assured cash-for-work program for the displaced workers but DSWD would need the actual list of sugar workers that are not affiliated with the sugar industry or those itinerant workers. Until then, DSWD cannot ascertain the exact amount of fund for the program.

"First and foremost, we need to give them a little assistance. We are doing our best so they can buy subsidized rice from NFA and emergency employment programs and livelihood for them," Cabral said during an interview. (PIA/EAD)

source: pia.gov