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BY TIFFANY ANNE TAN
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BACOLOD City – Antique governor Rhodora Cadiao appealed to Negros leaders to take care of Antiqueño sacadas — migrant sugarcane plantation workers — in the island.
Cadiao went to several haciendas in Negros Occidental this week to check the living condition of sacadas from her province.
The governor disclosed she received reports about the alleged exploitation of some Antiqueño sacadas.
“We do not prevent them from working here. I know you need them here, and they need livelihood,” Cadiao said.
“Ang akon lang gusto nga protektaran man ang ila pag-stay diya (I’m asking you to keep them safe while they’re here),” she told a news conference on Friday.
Antiqueño sacadas “should be equally protected while they do their share in the progressive sugarcane business,” Cadiao stressed.
Some of the sacadas “live in quarters not suited for human dwelling,” the governor said, citing reports reaching her.
During their visits, they also saw some children in the sacadas’ quarters, which is supposedly prohibited, said Cadiao.
And there were reports about missing sacadas, too.
“Sadly even the police do not know that some sacadas had been missing kay malayô ang mga hacienda,” she said.
Cadiao suggested that the police make rounds in haciendas, particularly at the sacadas’ quarters, once in a while.
Moreover, some sacadas suffer from various illnesses, including tuberculosis, when they return to their home province, she said.
Personnel from Antique’s Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office and Provincial Health Office, among other personnel, tagged along Cadiao.
They went to haciendas Manayawsayaw in Barangay Mansilingan here; San Antonio, Teresita and Gloria Anpas in Talisay City; and Imelda, Bagacay and Puyas in Silay City.
Cadiao and the Antique capitol staff also provided the sacadas free medical checkup and food.
“Gusto namon i-emphasize ang padayon nga pagbulig sang mga sacadas sa inyo nga (We want to emphasize that Antiqueño sacadas contribute to the) flourishing sugarcane business,” said Cadiao.
“Pero gusto man namon ipaabot sa inyo nga buligan man ang ila karapatan (But we are also asking you to help and protect them and their rights),” she said./PN
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