News Release
Department of Labor and Employment
March 2, 2023

DOLE aids displaced sugar workers

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will provide more than 79 million pesos worth of livelihood assistance and emergency employment to around 4,000 displaced sugarcane field workers in Calabarzon.

This was after the Central Azucarera Don Pedro Inc. (CADPI) Sugar Mill, one of Luzon’s biggest raw sugar producers, filed for permanent closure after “experiencing operational and financial challenges within the current conditions affecting the sugar industry in the Batangas area.”

Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns (BWSC) Director Ahmma Charisma Lobrin-Satumba committed to fast-track approval of emergency employment and livelihood assistance for the affected workers.

DOLE CALABARZON Regional Director Ma. Karina Perida-Trayvilla assured the workers would be given due intervention through existing DOLE programs.

“We are preparing to provide sustainable livelihood assistance after we hold a dialogue with the affected workers to optimize the use of funds. Labor Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma approved releasing more than ₱79 million to cover the affected workers for implementing TUPAD and Livelihood Programs,” Director Perida-Trayvilla said.

Among the displaced workers, 1,252 will benefit from the TUPAD Program, amounting to ₱5,884,400.00 worth of wages. In preparation for the implementation, DOLE has already oriented the displaced sugarcane workers on basic safety and health and other TUPAD implementation guidelines and procedures.  END/BWSC/DOLE 4A