THE Confederation of Sugar Producers (Confed) Negros-Panay chapter has lauded the efforts of Governors Eugenio Jose Lacson and Rhodora Cadiao of Negros Occidental and Antique, respectively, for providing safety travel mechanisms for the return of "sacadas" or sugarcane cutters.
Confed Negros-Panay chairman Nicolas Ledesma Jr., in statement, said the ease of travel for the "sacadas" in coming back in Negros to work will definitely ease the problems when milling season opens in September.
The two governors, along with Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, have agreed to start processing the travel documents for "sacadas" and to ensure that they are legally documented for monitoring purposes.
Apart from the "no ID, no entry" policy agreed by the governors, all incoming cane cutters in Negros will have to present health certifications.
Ledesma said the return of the "sacadas" has been foremost on the minds of the sugar planters because of strict travel restrictions due to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.
"But with the agreement between Lacson and Cadiao, these essential workers of the industry can safely go back to work," he added.
The provincial governments are also coordinating with Iloilo Governor Art Defensor and Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia for provisional transit documents for the workers, who are expected to come in by boatloads from Iloilo City.
There are an estimated 5,000 to 6,000 "sacadas" from Antique.
The Confed official also acknowledged the efforts of Lacson at the end of the last milling season, particularly for extending help to the "sacadas" who were able to go home amid the pandemic.
"Rest assured, foremost on the planters' mind as well are the safety and well-being of these workers when they start coming in," Ledesma added.