PEASANT groups belonging to the National Federation of Sugarcane Workers (NFSW) trooped to the Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City Wednesday, August 29, to demand assistance as they are very much affected by the “tiempo muerto,” or off-milling season.
Christian Tuayon, secretary-general of Bayan-Negros, said the sugarcane workers are greatly affected during this lean month because there is no more work in the haciendas.
The milling season is expected to start in September.
"Tiempo muerto in more than a calamity to sugarcane workers because we have no means to sustain our respective families. The government especially the Department of Social Welfare and Development has been promising assistance but they failed to give it,” Tuayon said.
The rally was their second day of protest to address their concerns to concerned government agencies.
"We are asking for the institutionalized program assistance for the sugarcane workers who are affected by tiempo muerto," Tuayon added.
He said about 1,000 members of different labor organizations joined the protest from different towns and cities in the province.
They first held the protest at the Provincial Administration Center (PAC) where the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) is located.
Venchito Magalona, head of the Capitol security, said the PAC and the premises of the Provincial Capitol building were closed on Wednesday, August 29, for security purposes.
“We only allowed the leaders of the protestors to enter the office of the PSWDO and the Office of the Vice Governor where they held a dialogue with his staff," Magalona said.