International partners of the Sugar Industry Foundation, Inc. (SIFI) — Nestlé, American Sugar Refining Group, Inc., and Proforest – visited SIFI’s Special programs in Northern Negros Occidental from April 8-11, 2025. During the visit, they shared key insights, explored opportunities, and engaged in meaningful dialogue with government representatives and stakeholders from the sugar industry.
The partners actively support the SIFI’s Special Projects, Responsible Sourcing from Smallholders (RSS) Program and the Regenerative Agriculture and Climate Mitigation (RAC) Program.
One of the visit’s highlights was a courtesy call to Governor Eugenio Jose V. Lacson of the Province of Negros Occidental. Words of gratitude were expressed for the support of the province to the initiatives of SIFI through various line agencies. A symbolic turnover of the Php 2 million Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) for soil analysis was also held during the meeting.
IN PHOTO (L-R): Su Shen Phan (Senior Project Manager – Proforest Malaysia), Judy Ann U. Gonzaga (Technical Consultant – SIFI Special Projects), Melissa Chin (Deputy Director – Proforest Malaysia), Rafael Vaya (VP for Corporate Responsibility – American Sugar Refining, Inc.), Edith Y. Villanueva (President & COO – SIFI), Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson (Province of Negros Occidental), Regina B. Martin (Director General – PHILSURIN), Wan Nurshazlin Wan Azahari (Global Buyer, Nestlé Kuala Lumpur), Rosalyn T. Luzaran (Station Manager – PHILSURIN), and Bernie Dequinto (Regional Coordinator – PHILSURIN).
The team also engaged with key program partners such as representatives from Planters Associations under the Hawaiian-Philippine Company (HPCo), Asociacion de Hacienderos de Silay-Saravia, Inc. (AHSSI), and Associated Planters of Silay Saravia Inc. (APSSI). Selected members of these PAs benefitting from the program were also present to share their experiences and insights under the program. Demo farms of the Victorias Milling Company (VMC) were also visited for the partners to observe actual farm works after a fruitful discussion with the VMC top executives.
In between the executive meetings, the team also participated in the IACAP Barangay Integration at SIFI Training Center in Talisay City. The activity is part of the current initiative to engage with the barangay and integrate child labor elimination effort of the IACAP initiative of the RSS Program. Additionally, a meeting was held with the Personal Protective Equipment Technical Working Group composed of representatives from the Carlos Hilado Memorial State University, SIMAG Foundations, Department of Labor and Employment, Sugar Regulatory Administration, Ang Paglaum Multi-Purpose Cooperative, and SIFI.
A one-day field visit was conducted to Caridad 1 Agricultural Cooperative (CAC) in Cadiz City, Guin-olayan Agrarian Reform Cooperative (GARC) from Manapla, and De Fuego 2 Farm Workers Association (DFFWA) in Silay City. This visit enabled the partners to observe farm operations, gather feedback from ARBO members, and assess improvements over the past year.
On the final day, the RAC Partners Consultation took place, bringing together representatives from the three (3) partner mills, HPCo, VMC, and Lopez Sugar Corporation, along with partner planters from Cohorts 1-3. Representatives from Central Philippine State University (CPSU), and the Philippine Sugar Research Institute Foundation, Inc. (PHILSURIN) were also present to present significant updates on innovative farm implement and soil study, respectively.
The partners and the SIFI team concluded the visit by discussing observations, identifying gaps and challenges, and strategizing ways to sustain the goals of responsible farming and regenerative agriculture in Northern Negros.
