THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will be allocating P18.5 million to build a new training center in Negros Oriental to provide training and livelihood to sugar workers.
The Sugar Tripartite Council (STC) led by Labor and Employment Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma approved earlier this month the proposal of DOLE Regional Office No. 7 for the construction of the Sugar Workers Training and Livelihood Center (SWLC).
The facility was first proposed in 2011 to be built in Dumaguete
It was later decided to instead build the facility on a 1,000-square-meter lot in Barangay San Isidro donated by the local government unit of Tanjay City.
DOLE noted the District Tripartite Councils in Negros Oriental comprise the Central Azucarera de Bais (CAB)—the largest producer of raw sugar in Negros Oriental; Universal Robina Sugar Milling Corporation (URSUMCO); and URC-Tolong.
DOLE-Region 7 officer-in-charge Lilia A. Estillore lauded the development, calling it a “blessing,” which will help the sugar workers, their dependents and planters to boost their incomes.
“Finally, the Program of Works or POW and the detailed design of the approved Construction Plan at P18,500,000 is another blessing for Region’s Sugar Industry in Negros Oriental,” Estillore said in a statement.
She said the facility will serve as a venue where DOLE, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda), and other training institutions can provide orientations, seminars, and training.
“The augmentation of income through livelihood assistance and training during off seasons is more relevant today than it was in 2011 when the training center was proposed,” Estillore said.
Image credits: Chico Gimenez via Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0