By Xander Ledesma
“Government assistance programs have helped improve the lives of sacadas, or seasonal sugarcane workers from Antique, reducing the number who migrate to work in Negros Occidental’s sugar plantations,” declared Governor Rhodora J. Cadiao of Antique.
Governor Cadiao, in her final term, also announced that her upcoming visit to Negros Occidental for the annual “Bisita Sacada” from November 29 to December 1 will be her last. This visit will provide medical services, food packs, and cash assistance to sacadas. According to Cadiao, the number of Antiqueños working in Negros has decreased by almost half from more than 4, 000 in previous years.
The provincial government of Antique has provided sacadas with livelihood support, including PHP 40 million allocated this year for projects such as sari-sari stores, cattle and goat dispersal, and piggeries. Bienvinido Nallos Jr., acting head of the Provincial Planning and Development Office, reported that the projects are based on sacadas’ proposals and designed to help them generate income locally.
Since 2015, the provincial government has also prioritized educational assistance for sacadas’ children, addressing one of the main reasons they migrated for work. In a recent survey, 73 of 94 sacadas reported that their family income had improved since 2015. In addition, the government held the annual Sacada Congress last August, offering medical and other support services to participants in the municipality of Tibiao.
The programs reflect Antique’s effort to reduce dependency on seasonal work in distant sugar fields and provide more sustainable local income opportunities.