Gov’t sets aside P11M for ‘sacadas’

MANILA, Philippines—The government has set aside P10.7 million to help improve the socio-economic conditions of 30,000 disadvantaged migratory field workers, or “sacadas,” Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said Saturday.

In a statement, Baldoz said the money would be used for the Integrated Services for Migrant Sugar Workers (I-SERVE Sacadas), which will provide social protection and welfare for sacadas.

It also intends to strengthen Sagip Batang Manggagawa Program for child laborers in sugar plantations and advocacies aimed at eliminating the worst forms of child labor.

“I have directed the Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns (BWSC) to establish a profile and database of migrant sugar workers for us to determine who will be the next beneficiaries,” Baldoz said. –Philip Tubeza, Philippine Daily Inquirer