Touted as the country’s biggest sugar milling and refinery, and among the largest in Southeast Asia, the Victorias Milling Company celebrated its 105th year anniversary on May 7 by thanking their hard working employees and partners through the years, and affirming their commitment to embrace technology, trends and innovation to sustain their growth in a rapidly evolving sugar industry.
VMC President Linley Retirado thanked the men and women of VMC for their dedication and to “reflect on the journey that has brought us to this moment,” including the challenges during the rehabilitation era to the “thriving enterprise it is today.”
“Over the years we have faced numerous challenges and overcome countless obstacles but through it all, we have remained steadfast in our pursuit of excellence and even dared to venture into diversification,” Retirado said.
VMC was founded in 1919 started as a sugar mill and refinery in Victorias City, Negros Occidental and has since diversified to include food, power generation, and bioethanol, among others.
VMC Chairman Wilson Young said that the company surpassed the challenges through the years “because of all of you – our workers, our planters, our partners, the local government units that allowed us to celebrate 105 years.”
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, on the other hand, lauded VMC for its continued success and thanked the company for being a vital partner in the province’s sustainable development vision.
“In the narrative of our province, VMC is among the central figures, an enduring symbol of Negros Occidental’s economy, history and development,” Lacson said, adding that “VMC is more than just a company, it is an icon embodying our trials and triumph as the sugar bowl of the country.”
Beyond sugar, Lacson also cited VMC’s role at the height of the African Swine Fever scare and the province was able to remain ASF-free because VMC helped in meeting local requirements of pork.
Retirado said they are looking at the future with optimism and excitement and vow to “deliver the highest quality products and services to our customers.”
VMC’s celebration started with a Thanksgiving Mass at the iconic St. Joseph the Workers Church in the VMC compound, followed by lunch and games for employees and a an anniversary dinner at the Nature’s Village Resort in Talisay, Negros Occidental attended by local government officials, planters, suppliers and other partners.*
