The provincial government here allocated PHP29 million for its new program that intends to assist and alleviate poverty among sugar migrants or sacadas and other marginalized sectors in the province.

The fund for the TATAP or Tatapon ang Antiqueño, Tugruan kang Ayuda kag Parangabuy-an (Take Care of Antiqueño, Provide Assistance and Livelihood), however, is included in the over PHP1.075 billion Supplemental Budget number 1 waiting for approval of the Provincial Board in their session next week.

“The TATAP program intends to assist sugar migrants, displaced overseas Filipino workers, indigenous peoples, and other marginalized sectors to have alternative sources of income,” Antique Provincial Planning and Development officer Bienvinido Nallos Jr. said in an interview Wednesday.

Among the projects identified under the program is the “Gulayan sa Barangay” for sacadas in partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

TESDA will train the local sugar migrant workers on growing organic high-value crops with the provincial government through the Office of the Provincial Agriculture (OPA), providing seeds, tools, and water pumps.

The provincial board deferred the approval of the supplemental budget pending a thorough review during their session on Monday. (PNA)