Policy Issue
The Social Amelioration Program (SAP) in the sugar industry was institutionalized with the passage of Republic Act No. 6982 in 1991. From the lien imposed on the gross production of sugar, 80 percent is distributed as cash bonus, with the remaining 20 percent being utilized to implement socio-economic programs. The latter is further allocated for socio-economic projects (9%), death benefit program (5%), maternity benefit program (3%), and administrative expenses (3%) of the Sugar Tripartite Council (STC), the District Tripartite Council (DTC) and Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns (BWSC). After decades of implementation, SAP as a holistic social protection intervention is relevant and timely to be revisited to determine which areas succeed and needs improvement, in realizing the program objectives of augmenting the income and enabling the sugar workers and their families to enjoy a decent living.