(Photo 1) Department of Social Welfare and Development Assistant Secretary Lorraine Marie T. Badoy reiterates the Department’s support to assist the sacadas from Mindanao who were tricked by their recruiter into working in Hacienda Luisita during a media blogger’s forum (Photo 2) led by the Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura (UMA) at the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) central office.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) once again showed its solidarity to the struggles of recruited cane cutters or sacadas from Mindanao who were tricked to work in Hacienda Luisita under inhumane conditions.

DSWD Assistant Secretary Lorraine Marie T. Badoy conveyed her support to the sacadas during a media blogger’s forum organized by the Unyon ng Mangagagawa sa Agrikultura (UMA) last week at the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) central office where 18 sacadas are currently staying.

“Hindi ninyo ito laban mag-isa. Buo ang pakikiisa ng DSWD sa mga magsasaka at manggagawang bukid. Gagawin namin ang abot ng aming makakaya upang matulungan kayo (You are not alone in your battle. The DSWD is in solidarity with the struggle of farmers and farm workers. We will do our best to help you),” affirmed Asec. Badoy.

Meanwhile, the DSWD already pledged to provide transportation allowance to the sacadas who want to return home to Mindanao through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program under the Department’s Crisis Intervention Unit (CIU). Earlier, around 100 sacadas have already returned home after they were assisted through the DSWD’s AICS- Balik Probinsya Program.

Aside from financial assistance, the sacadas were also given family food packs good for two days for a family of five.

DSWD Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo said that the Department will also look into other ways to assist the sacadas who have already returned home so that trafficking and exploitation of farm workers will be prevented.

“We are searching for other means to help the sacadas and their families because they need sustainable livelihood,” said Sec. Taguiwalo.

“It is appalling that they had to endure slave-like conditions just because they want to support their families in Mindanao. We need to empower them and educate them so that they will be informed about their rights and the labor laws of our country so that incidents like this will not happen again,” added Sec. Taguiwalo. ###