CONFED Welcomes Jalasig Sugarcane Planters Association, Inc.

The Confederation of Sugarcane Producers Association, Inc. (CONFED), the country’s leading federation in sugar production, welcomes the Jalasig Sugarcane Planters Association, Inc., into its roster of member-associations.

A total of four associations joined CONFED in 2025 and 2026, of which Jalasig is the latest.

Until recently, Jalasig, which is based in Passi City, Illoilo, has not been affiliated with any federation. Yet, it has proven itself a progressive association. Based on SRA Circular Letter No. 11, Series of 2025-2026, of the total production of non-affiliated associations in Panay in Crop Year 2024-2025, Jalasig delivered over half of it.

At last count, Jalasig has 5,657 farmer-members, up to 90% of which are small farmers and ARBs. On its own, Jalasig has voiced its concern over the current sugar crisis. On October 25, 2025, it published an open letter to Pres. Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., titled, “Urgent Appeal for Immediate Action to Protect the National Sugar Industry”.

In their Board Meeting last January 14, Jalasig President Hernando Y. Divinagracia, Jr., together with VP Rene Michael S. French, Treasurer Celina C. French, and Assistant Treasurers Melanie U. Palmares and Dr. Ernesto C. Hofileña, led the Board of Directors of Jalasig in unanimously voting to join CONFED as a regular member.

CONFED President Aurelio Gerardo J. Valderrama, Jr., personally welcomed the move, thanking the Jalasig Board for its vote of confidence. He said, “As far as sugar production is concerned, CONFED has always led the way. With the addition of four associations, Jalasig being the most recent, by the grace of God CONFED will pull away.”

Valderrama attributes this gain to the core value of CONFED: “Achieving and maintaining integrity and competence with social responsibility”.* (PR)