In relation to effective implementation of the social and economic programs for workers in the sugarcane industry, the Department of Labor and Employment XI, through its Davao del Sur Field Office (DSFO), recently held its sixth Sugarcane Workers’ Congress on July 28-29, 2022 in Digos City, Davao del Sur with the primary aim to promote strengthened workplace relations in sugarcane industry.

DOLE XI-DSFO, in partnership with the District Tripartite Council (DTC) of Davao Mill District and the Provincial Government of Davao del Sur, prepared several activities for the workers in said industry such as vaccination roll-out, minor surgery, operation “tuli”, dental, and ophthalmology services, legal consultation and job fair. The two-day event started with a bloodletting activity participated by DOLE XI employees, sugarcane workers, and partners from both private and government organizations.

In Davao Region, DTC was only established in the province of Davao del Sur considering that the province is among the recognized sugar milling districts in the Philippines.

In his message, DOLE XI Regional Director Atty. Randolf C. Pensoy emphasized that the congress fundamentally targeted to formulate responsive and effective approaches in the implementation of relevant projects in the industry and to engage the workers in sustaining their involvement in promoting a child-labor free sugarcane industry in the province.

Currently, some five (5) planters’ association and one cooperative in Davao del Sur have taken part in said undertaking.

Present during the event were DOLE XI Technical Services and Support Division Chief Paul V. Cruz, DOLE XI-DSFO Officer-In-Charge Leo Ariel A. Pepino, and Governor Yvonne Rona Cagas.

The Sugarcane Workers’ Congress is a DOLE XI-initiated program launched in 2016 which was initially designed to educate the workers on the prevalence of child labor in the industry.### MFKM/DSFO