DOLE-12 helps NorCot active, retrenched sugarcane workers

KIDAPAWAN CITY -the Department of Labor and Employment
(DOLE) North Cotabato Field Office are attending to the needs and welfare of active and retrenched sugarcane workers in North Cotabato.North Cotabato Chief Labor Employment Officer
Marjorie P. Latoja said her office continues to facilitate programs and services which provide protection
to workers welfare in the province. Last month, a focused group discussion (FGD) with
Sugar Industry Field workers was conducted to generate information on issues
and concerns affecting unorganized
sugarcane workers which can help in the preparation of the Sugarcane Industry
Human Resource Development Master Plan (HRD). Seventy one sugarcane workers participated and
shared their experiences during lean months-off season which they hope can be
improved through the help of the Industry HRD master plan being prepared by
DOLE. Latoja said most of the sugarcane field
workers clamor for livelihood trainings which could help them generate
income during lean months and these
include training on massage therapy, commercial cooking and new sugarcane planting
technology. They also urged
concerned government agencies to act on their present plight to also uplift the industry. The Industry’s
HRD Master Plan aims to to ensure sustainability of competitive edge of the Philippines'
Sugar lndustry with its neighbors in the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC). Meanwhile, 603 retrenched
workers of SUMIFRU Banana Plantation based in North Cotabato attended the DOLE
Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP) orientation
facilitated by DOLE NCFO. The DILEEP orientation was an offshoot of series of
meeting between DOLE Region 12 headed by
Regional Director Ofelia B. Domingo, SUMIFRU management and its union officers. DILEEP Orientations were done in Barangays of Alimodian
and Taguranao in Matalam which aimed at helping SUMIFRU retrenched workers in income generating projects. Retrenched workers Antipas municipality in North Cotabato are
set to submit their livelihood proposals to the
Public Employment Service Office (PESO) in North Cotabato for appropriate action. In Midsayap, North Cotabato, the local government has institutionalized its own PESO office through a resolution to ensure the
provision of job referral and matching assistance to local job seekers. Midsayap Mayor Romeo Arania lauded the enthusiasm of DOLE-12 on the recent development and expects more collaboration with DOLE
regional office resolving job mismatch and unemployment in the municipality.

Latoja said closer coordination with LGUs and other partners has proven to be effective in employment facilitation.