Negros Occidental Gov. Isidro Zayco said an action plan that will address the effects of a projected longer “dead season” in the sugar industry will be a joint effort of all the sectors involved. 

“Board Member (Enrique Miguel)   Lacson already met with sugarcane planters. They have initial talks on how to draw up an action plan,” he said.

Zayco said that it is important that there should be initiatives on how to mitigate the effects of a possible extended off-milling period. “If it will not happen, well and good. But of course, we should be prepared,” he said.

Lacson also met with Labor Regional Director Aida Estabillo yesterday to discuss the role of the labor department, particularly on the plan to tap the Social Amelioration Fund, which is being supervised by the Bureau of Rural Workers under the DOLE.

“This will be a joint program of all the sectors involved.  The province alone cannot afford to provide everything,” Zayco said.

He also said he is open to the implementation of a Food-for-Work program for the sugar workers, and welcomed the idea of the sugar planters associations being able to access National Food Authority rice for their workers.

On the part of the labor sector, the Partido ng Manggagawa-Negros had earlier pushed for the participation of sugar workers in the industry consultations on the plans to address a longer dead season.

The group said in a statement it issued that the workers themselves understand their situation and it is only logical that they participate in the deliberations

They had also proposed that each landowner hold a dialog with their workers to draw up tangible solutions in specific haciendas.*NLG

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