USEC. BENAVIDEZ LEADS CONSULTATION WITH BATANGAS SUGARCANE INDUSTRY STAKEHOLDERS ON THE REVISION OF SOCIAL AMELIORATION PROGRAM IRR

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Workers' Welfare and Protection Cluster Undersecretary, Atty. Benjo Santos M. Benvidez spearheaded the in-person consultation caravan on the revision of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Republic Act No. 6982 with the sugarcane workers, local government unit representatives, academe, and related government agencies, at Nasugbu, Batangas, and Tuy, Batangas on May 3.

Sugarcane stakeholders shared valuable insights during the consultation with DOLE senior officials about the revision of the SAP IRR at Nasugbu, Batangas. (Photo by Darius Lubis/DOLE BPO)

During its first leg at the Batangas State University Hostel, Nasugbu, Batangas, Usec. Benavidez with Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns (BWSC) Director Ahmma Charisma Lobrin-Satumba and DOLE IV-A Regional Director Atty. Roy L. Buenafe led the program which aimed to ensure that the new provisions of the IRR will address the challenges, issues, and concerns of the sugarcane industry in the country.

The representatives of the planters’ associations and other stakeholders actively participated in the dialogue and proposed several revisions during the discussion proper. Director Satumba summarized the points raised by the participants.

Consequently, Usec. Benavidez and the team facilitated another session in the afternoon with the displaced workers of Central Azucarera Don Pedro Inc. (CADPI) in which several former CADPI workers joined the activity.

The displaced workers shared the experiences they encountered during the retrenchment and their plans as they moved forward with their careers.

In response to this, Usec. Benavidez provided instructions to DOLE IV-A for the coordination of possible training opportunities for the workers in order to increase their employability.

Aside from the activities in BSU Hostel, Usec. Benavidez also delivered a message during the general assembly of the Pagkakaisa ng mga Manggagawang Bukid sa Tubuhan (PAMATU) at Luntal, Tuy, Batangas.

Usec. Benavidez with BWSC Director Ahmma Charisma Lobrin-Satumba and DOLE IV-A Regional Director Atty. Roy L. Buenafe appeared during the general assembly of PAMATU. (Photo by Darius Lubis/DOLE BPO)

DOLE senior officials also expressed their utmost support for the association's plans to improve the plight of the sugarcane industry in the province of Batangas.

Through the consultation caravan, Usec. Benavidez and the DOLE Senior Officials hoped to address the emerging and existing concerns of the sugarcane workers as they proposed amendments to the IRR of the SAP.