TITLE:
Lived Experiences of Tapaseros: Their Social-Economic Situation
AUTHORS:
Glenn M. Ostia, Judy Ann F. Gimena, Ariel O. Tinapay
KEYWORDS:
Social Science, Economic Status, Sugarcane Industry, Sustainability, Income Management, Job Satisfaction
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Social Sciences,
Vol.11 No.3,
March
31,
2023
ABSTRACT: This study aimed to find out the economic status of the workers known as
Tapaseros in the sugarcane industry in the 4th District of Cebu. It highlighted
the plight of the Tapaseros during off season in haciendas or sugarcane
plantation and how they survived during that time. The results served as basis
in devising a proposed Alternative Livelihood Program. This research applied
the Phenomenology Qualitative method in determining the economic condition of
the workers in the sugarcane plantation or Tapaseros in 4th District of Cebu
Province. Ten informants were interviewed on their occupational problems and survival
strategies during off milling season. Findings indicated that the life of
Tapaseros was not easy, being often exposed to weather conditions especially in the
midst of a climate change, as well as, a bad relationship between the management
and the coworkers, thus, during off season they suffered poverty. It is recommended
that the Local government through the support of non-government organizations
and other private company to give an alternative livelihood program to the
Tapaseros in the 4th district of Cebu.