The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Sugar Industry Foundation, Inc. (SIFI) signed their partnership in strengthening the implementation of socio-economic and educational aid programs for the workers and dependents of the sugar industry.
On August 4, 2026, the Memorandum of Agreement between DOLE and SIFI were formalized at the L’fisher Hotel in Bacolod City. The newly appointed DOLE Secretary Francis N. Tolentino flew in to Negros Occidental for the ceremonial MOA signing with DOLE’s partners in the sugar industry.
DOLE Secretary Francis N. Tolentino with SIFI President & COO Edith Y. Villanueva and SIFI Treasurer Joseph Conrad Ledesma, together with representatives from DOLE-BWSC.
The agreement establishes the partnership between DOLE and SIFI for the implementation of socio-economic development projects funded through Republic Act No. 6982 Socio-Economic Project Fund.
The budget will support SIFI’s initiatives for the welfare of the sugar industry workers and their dependents. This includes the Educational Aid Program (EDAP) that covers more than 500 scholars nationwide, the livelihood assistance programs, skills trainings, medical-dental missions, and advocacy awareness-raising activities of SIFI.
SIFI President & COO Edith Y. Villanueva expressing her gratitude to DOLE’s continued partnership with SIFI.
SIFI was represented by President & COO Edith Y. Villanueva, alongside Treasurer Joseph Conrad F. Ledesma, and Special Projects Technical Consultant Judy Ann Gonzaga.
The partnership highlights the importance of collaborations between government agencies and private organizations in assisting the socio-economic development needs of the industry partners.
