Filipinos, including social media users and public figures, expressed support for sugar farmworker Raffy Valentin after a video of his emotional appeal for fair compensation circulated online.
Valentin, a sugar worker at Hacienda Lolita in Cadiz City, Negros Occidental, broke down in tears during a conference with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on July 18 as he appealed for what he described as just compensation from the hacienda’s landowner.
According to a report by The Guidon on Monday, July 20, Valentin was joined by fellow farmworkers when they filed a complaint against landowner Aurelio Valderrama Jr., who currently serves as president of the Confederation of Sugar Producers Associations.
The workers alleged that they had been denied their 13th-month pay, employee benefits, and a 3% share of the Sugar Amelioration Bonus.
“Ang ginagapangayo sakto nga sweldo kay gin ubrahan na namon (What we are asking for is just compensation because we worked hard for it),” Valentin said in Hiligaynon.
In the video, Valentin also said he receives P2,500 every two weeks, an amount that he said sometimes decreases depending on the season.
“Biskan ibakal namon sud-an, uga kag isda lang ang amon mabakal kay indi na siya kaigo sa amon paggasto sa sulod balay (When we buy food, we only buy dried fish because it’s not enough for our household),” he said.
Following the circulation of the video, social media users shared messages of support for Valentin and the other farmworkers while raising concerns about the conditions faced by agricultural workers.
An Instagram post about the workers’ situation described “the hidden cost of sweetness,” claiming that two weeks of exhausting work amounted to P2,500, or roughly P179 a day.
The caption read: “The farmers deserved better, the backbone in our country! ANOOOOOOOO NA PH?”
Several Instagram users reacted to the post.
“That’s slavery, not workers. Grabeng mga amo Yan. Meron pa palang mga ganyan Ngayon,” one Instagram user commented.
Another wrote, “When a hard worker has to beg for fair pay with a shaking voice, the system is broken.”
A business owner who commented on the post said, “I support local businesses but paying workers just P179 a day for that amount of work and time is difficult to justify.”
The Instagram user added that supporting local businesses should also include supporting the workers behind them, saying they personally work directly with local artisans and allow them to set their rates.
Other commenters called for more support for farmers and fisherfolk. One Instagram user suggested that government assistance programs such as the 4Ps should also be reviewed and expanded for agricultural workers.
Public figures also joined the conversation.
Content creator David Guison commented, “Grabe 😭 how can we help them?”
Actress Denise Laurel wrote, “All of our farmers need help.. they do they most.. how can we help?”
Blogger and socialite Bryanboy described the situation as “disgusting and inhumane.”
Meanwhile, One Race for Filipino said it was gathering support for the workers and asked those who wanted to help to message the page for their contact details.
A Facebook post also shared that those who want to extend financial assistance may contact Valentin’s wife, Mary Joy Valentin. The post said they do not have a bank account and currently accept support through a GCash account registered under her name.
The same post said there are 30 workers involved and that a previous P5,000 donation was shared among them, leaving each person with only a small amount.
The office of Valderrama denied the allegations, saying it stands by the principle of “a fair day’s wage, for a fair day’s labor.” DOLE is set to conduct an inspection of the farms, including payrolls and time records, according to The Guidon.
As the issue continues to gain attention online, the workers’ appeal has placed renewed focus on the challenges faced by agricultural laborers who help sustain the country’s sugar industry.
“From preparing the fields to harvesting sugarcane, farm workers perform physically demanding jobs that help put food on the nation’s tables and keep a key industry running. Yet many say they still find it difficult to earn enough to meet their families’ daily needs, access healthcare, or provide brighter opportunities for their children,” a Facebook page said.