The Sugar Industry Foundation, Inc. (SIFI) participated in the Y2024 Joint STC and DTCs Congress by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) last November at the Citadines, Bacolod City.
The two-day congress aimed to present achievements, innovations, and current situations of partners and stakeholders by the Sugar Tripatite Council (STC) and the District Tripartite Councils (DTCs) in the Philippines.
In photo (L-R): SIFI Project Officer for Education Angelica Hebionada, DOLE-BWSC Director Ahmma Charisma Satumba, SIFI President & COO Edith Y. Villanueva, DOLE Usec. Benjo Santos Benavidez, and SIFI Project Officer for Livelihood Alfael Belleza.
Following the face-to-face multi-sectoral consultations by the DOLE last April, the Social Amelioration Program Implementing Rules and Regulations was revised and reviewed in the congress.
On the second day of the congress, SIFI President & COO Edith Y. Villanueva presented the milestones and challenges of SIFI over the past year. This was well-received by the organizational representatives and the councils.
After the two-day event, the DOLE-Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns and Undersecretary Benjo Santos Benavidez visited the SIFI Livelihood-assisted bakery and Child Labor Mitigation Program-implemented partner ARBO, Cusi Farmworkers and Farmers Association (CUFFA) in Pontevedra. The entourage was welcomed by the ARBO members, Child Rights Advocates (CRAs), and children with flaglets while presenting their child labor mitigation-inspired artworks
The DOLE representatives also dropped by SIFI Training Center in Talisay City and were met by SIFI RSS Community Development Specialist Theresa Katrina Etabag and the SIFI CRA-aspirants.
With this venture, SIFI hopes to continue the well-founded partnership with DOLE in future engagements and activities.
