The local government will send only the “best of the best” of its farmers to the Summer Capital’s sister-city in Taebaek, South Korea as part of a Seasonal Worker Program (SWP) between the two mountainous cities.
During the management committee meeting, Feb. 25, at the Baguio Convention and Cultural Center, he said the city is targeting about 50 agricultural workers for the program who will be deployed to Taebaek sometime this April, work there for several months and earn substantial income.
Dela Pena chairs the Baguio City SWP Working Committee through an executive order issued by Mayor Benjamin Magalong.
Earlier, he led a team to Taebaek to thresh out the program’s details and ensure that adequate accommodations and other needs of the farmers are in place and that they are well taken care of while there.
“The only problem our farmers may be facing in Taebaek is ‘homesickness’ since they will be away from their loved ones for so long,” he said.
Dela Pena also assured that all the requirements of the Department of Migrant Workers and other regulations will be strictly followed to prevent any problems during the program’s duration.
“We are doing all this to help our farmers,” he stressed.
The City Veterinary and Agriculture Office (CVAO), Public Employment Services Office (PESO), and other concerned offices are currently conducting the recruitment and selection process of agricultural workers who will be sent to Taebaek.-Gaby B. Keith
