Newly rebranded planters group “The Sugar Association Inc.”, formerly the Vicmico Planters Association, secured acceptance as one of the accredited partner associations of Hawaiian-Philippine Company (HPCo) sugar mill.
“We are honored to be formally recognized as one of the partner associations of HPCo. The Hawaiian sugar mill is known for integrity and transparency in its operations, and fair treatment of its partner planters. We look forward to a cordial and mutually beneficial working relationship with HPCo in the years to come,” said Aurelio Gerardo “Bodie” Valderrama, Jr., president of The Sugar Association.
“We express our gratitude and appreciation to HPCo and to the officers of Asociacion de Hacienderos de Silay-Saravia Inc. (AHSSI), Associated Planters of Silay-Saravia Inc. (APSSI), Hawaiian Philippines Planters Association Inc. (HPPAI) and Association of Productive Planters of Negros Occidental Inc. (APP-Negros) for the warm welcome they accorded our association,” Valderrama added.
Established in 1918, HPCo is one of the pioneer sugar mills in the country. It has a milling capacity of 7,500 tons of cane per day. Many sugar farmers prefer HPCo because it produces superior quality sugar, which fetches a premium price in the market. Moreover, HPCo has gained the sugar farmers’ confidence in the accurate measurement of the weight and sugar content of the planters’ canes.
The former Vicmico Planters Association milled with Victorias Milling Co. since 2006. For several years, it was one of the mill’s top sugar producers. However, due to irreconcilable differences in opinions concerning planters’ rightful representation in mill operations, equitable planters’ share, and prompt payment of agreed incentives, among others, the mill unilaterally cut ties with the association.
The parting of ways with VMC prompted Vicmico Planters Association members to bring their canes to HPCo and form a new group, The Sugar Association, which was eventually accredited by the mill. This is the first time in almost 30 years that HPCo has accepted and recognized a new planters group.
The other officers of The Sugar Association are: Vice-President – Jose Maria Montinola; Secretary – Nemesio dela Cruz; Treasurer – Lyndon Lim; and Board of Trustees – Jose V. Ledesma IV, Oscar Gil Ascalon, Emilio Young, Jose Miguel Cuaycong, Jose Miguel Montinola, Jose Ma. Gaston, Reynaldo Bantug, Eric Kenneth Jereza, Gerard Raymund Joseph Benedicto and Terence John Ortiz.*
