Initial P3.8-M cash aid allotted to Negros sugarcane workers

The Department of Labor and Employment-Negros Island Region (DOLE-NIR) has allotted an initial PHP3.815 million for financial assistance to typhoon-hit sugarcane workers in mill districts across Negros Occidental.

For the first tranche, 3,815 beneficiaries are covered and eligible to receive PHP1,000 each.

Implemented under the agency’s Social Amelioration Program (SAP), the cash aid is part of the DOLE-NIR’s “commitment to protecting the welfare of sugarcane workers by providing immediate financial relief to help them recover from the impact of calamities”.

As of Tuesday, at least PHP3.657 million has already been released to 3,657 recipients. Binalbagan-Isabela Sugar Company in

Binalbagan has the most beneficiaries, including 900 mill workers and 783 field workers.

Other beneficiaries are 520 mill workers of Universal Robina Corp. (URC) Sonedco in Kabankalan City, as well as 324 mill workers and 158 field workers of URC La Carlota in La Carlota City.

Sagay Central Inc. in Sagay City has completed the payout to its 322 mill worker beneficiaries.

The 308 mill workers of Hawaiian-Philippine Company in Silay City are among the beneficiaries along with 500 mill workers of Victorias Milling Company in Victorias City.

“Subsequent releases to additional sugar mills and qualified beneficiaries are expected in the coming weeks as validation and coordination activities continue,” the DOLE-NIR said in a statement.* (Nanette Guadalquiver)