Govt expands cash aid to include sugar workers

THOUSANDS of workers in the sugar and biofuel industries stand to gain increased financial support as the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) ramps up bigger benefits and wider coverage aimed at protecting some of the country’s most vulnerable agricultural workers. The initiative is anchored on Republic Act (RA) 6982, or the Social Amelioration Act of 1991, which authorizes the collection of a stabilization fee — or lien — from sugar production. The fund is then redistributed to workers, ensuring they get a fairer share of industry earnings while providing crucial social protection. Zeny Casanes of the DOLE Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns said the bulk of the collected funds — around 80 percent — is released directly to workers in the form of cash bonuses. The payouts range from P8,000 to P15,000 per production cycle, depending on a sugar mill’s output. Casanes said that for many families, the payout is a vital buffer against rising costs and seasonal income gaps. She said the support goes beyond bonuses, since eligible workers can also access P8,000 in maternity benefits and P14,000 in death assistance. Casanes stressed that more than just short-term aid, the program is fueling productivity on the ground. Many beneficiaries reportedly use the funds to purchase fertilizers, farm inputs, and other agricultural supplies — effectively reinvesting in their livelihoods. “This reinvestment not only improves yields but also strengthens the economic backbone of sugar-producing hubs like Tarlac and Negros, where entire communities depend on the industry,” she said. Recognizing the shifting global demand toward cleaner energy, DOLE is also expanding its reach through the Social Amelioration and Welfare Program in the Bioethanol Industry (Sawpi). The initiative now includes coconut and sugarcane farmers engaged in bioethanol production, extending protection to workers at the forefront of the country’s transition to renewable energy. To keep the program transparent and efficient, DOLE is working with the Sugar Regulatory Administration and district tripartite councils, ensuring that funds are properly managed and benefits reach the intended recipients without delay.

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