Antique sugar migrants or sacadas are given priority by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in skills training.

TESDA Antique Provincial Director Agnes Dimzon said in an interview Wednesday that they are campaigning for sacadas to enroll in their skills training in partnership with the provincial government.

“Sacadas or their children may now go to the TESDA Provincial Training Center in Hamtic or any of our accredited schools for their enrollment,” she said.

TESDA offers agri-related skills training, such as crop production and urban gardening, carpentry, masonry, and photovoltaic system installation, which they find helpful when looking for alternative sources of income aside from working in the sugar plantations.

The provincial board, during its regular session last week, authorized Antique Governor Rhodora J. Cadiao to sign an agreement with TESDA for the partnership.

“Sacadas, after their skills training, would also be given priority to be employed on projects being implemented in Antique so they would have an alternative source of income,” said Board Member Pio Jessielito Sumande Sr., who authored a resolution requesting for the implementation of the “Gulayan sa Barangay” and other skills training program of the provincial government in tie-up with TESDA.

He said through the Gulayan sa Barangay, the sacadas will train on new technologies to increase their agricultural crop production and engage in urban gardening for food sufficiency and marketing.

Those who completed the carpentry and masonry would be encouraged to get the National Certificate (NC) II so they could also work on infrastructure projects in the province or where job opportunities are available.

TESDA could accommodate at least 25 sacadas for a 30-day training, who will also receive a daily allowance of PHP160.

Around 1,000 sacadas from Antique are actively working in the sugar plantations in Negros Occidental. (PNA)