The National Congress of Unions in the Sugar Industry of the Philippines – Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (NACUSIP‑TUCP) announced on Sunday, June 7, that ₱3.815 million in initial cash assistance has been released to typhoon‑affected sugarcane workers in Negros Occidental.
The release was a direct result of the union’s formal request through NACUSIP‑TUCP National President Roland de la Cruz who sits as Field Worker Representative of the Sugar Tripartite Council (STC), a press statement from the unions said.
This action is grounded in the mandate of the Social Amelioration Program under Republic Act No. 6982, which ensures that sugar workers receive financial benefits funded by the industry itself. The STC, composed of workers, planters, and millers serves as the institutional mechanism that approves, endorses, and monitors the release of SAP benefits.
De la Cruz stressed that this assistance is not accidental nor automatic, it is the product of organized labor action, tripartite consensus, and legal entitlement under RA 6982.
“This cash aid exists because sugar workers fought for it, the law guarantees it, and the Sugar Tripartite Council supported our request. NACUSIP‑TUCP pushed hard to ensure DOLE‑NIR acted swiftly. This is how tripartism should work where unions, employers, and government delivering concrete results for workers,” de la Cruz said.
The Sugar Tripartite Council is the governing body that oversees the implementation of the SAP, the press release said.
It is mandated to: review and approve the release of SAP funds, ensure transparency in the distribution of benefits, monitor compliance of mills and planters in the release of the benefits and protect workers’ rights under RA 6982.
The STC’s support for NACUSIP‑TUCP’s request ensured that DOLE‑NIR could immediately mobilize SAP funds for disaster‑affected workers, the press release said.
Under the first tranche, 3,815 workers are set to receive ₱1,000 each. As of Tuesday, ₱3.657 million has already been released to 3,657 workers across Negros Occidental, in the areas of:
- BISCOM (Binalbagan) – 900 mill workers, 783 field workers
- URC Sonedco (Kabankalan) – 520 mill workers
- URC La Carlota – 324 mill workers, 158 field workers
- Sagay Central Inc. – 322 mill workers
- Hawaiian‑Philippine Co. (Silay)– 308 mill workers
- Victorias Milling Co. – 500 mill workers
DOLE‑NIR has confirmed that additional releases are forthcoming as validation continues.
De la Cruz who is the main proponent of this program, said the approved amount is P10,000,000 to cover 1,000 sugar industry workers affected by Typhoon Tino.
“We apologize for the delay in the roll out but this program is not charity. This is a right under the law and a victory of collective action. NACUSIP‑TUCP will not stop until every sugar worker affected by the typhoons receives what is due to them,” de la Cruz said.
NACUSIP‑TUCP commits to continue to monitor the full rollout of SAP benefits, push for additional tranches for all qualified workers, ensure full transparency in the distribution process and advocate for stronger protection mechanisms under RA 6982, the press release said.*
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