Employees of First Famers Holding Corporation (FFHC) employees packed their newly-renovated chapel last January 31, 2020 as they commemorate the company’s 55th year of milling operation with a Holy Mass. FFHC is the first and only sugar manufacturing facility in the country that is owned and operated by its member-planters. It milled its first canes last January 27, 1965.
FFHC President Bernard Trebol and General Manager Jose Rojo Alisla, together with members and officers of the Board of Directors, also joined Dos Hermanas Parish Priest Fr. Salvador Esganan during the celebration of the Holy Eucharist.
“We should always make God as the center of our lives. We are all sinners just as David was in the first reading. When God reminded him of his transgression, David acknowledged his grievous fault and repented for his mistake. In the end, God forgave and blessed him. As you celebrate your 55th anniversary, may our imperfections always remind us of God’s benevolence and mercy as we look forward to more years ahead for First Farmers”, Fr. Esganan said in his homily.
Meanwhile, GM Alisla expressed optimism for the future. “We started this year with the hope that our operations will get better and with the grace of God we did it. During the first month of our milling this year, we were able to exceed our target for the first time and things are looking good. This is because everybody gave their best and with prayers and faith in God, we were able to overcome many of the challenges we had in our first half of the season”, he adds.
Before the start of the Holy Mass, Fr. Esganan led the blessing of the chapel. The facility used to house the company’s bowling lanes before it was converted into a sanctuary for prayer and reflection more than a decade ago. The new look retained many of its original features including the wall of used bricks at the altar. The bricks were part of the furnaces that were used by boiler equipment in the production of sugar.
Happy Birthday First Farmers!
First Farmers Holding Corporation (FFHC) is 55 years old! And like sugarcane, it gets sweeter as it comes of age.
When the first cornerstone was laid down on April 19, 1964 by no less than then President Diosdado Macapagal, the Founding Fathers saw to it that the vision and aspirations that were planted will not only grow but, most importantly, survive the challenges and tests of time.
And survived it did. That foundation-laying made way to the construction of the sugar mill that grinded its first canes on January 27, 1965. Now, over a half century hence, 55 years into the future, FFHC has accomplished a proud legacy of firsts.
First Farmers was born out of necessity. The pioneering spirit of the men and women behind its inception were ahead of their time. When no one else dared to confront adversities at that time, the pioneers rolled up their sleeves, got to the drawing board, stuck to their belief, and stood ground against the uncertainties of the future.
Change was needed. And that change gave birth to the First Farmers Milling Company, Inc., the forerunner of the present-day FFHC.
If you want to know more about the Story of the First Farmers, follow this link.
Legacy of firsts
It was a bold move and it took a lot of guts. It was the first legacy.
Back in the late 50s up to the early 60s, negotiations for a new milling contract between the Talisay-Silay Milling Company and the Talisay-Silay Planters’ Association were in a stalemate. Issues remained unresolved and the milling company was adamant in its position that the sugar planters must abide by the new provision that charged them 20 centavos per picul, with escalations over time, for the exported sugar delivered by the sugar central aboard a ship. This was a departure from the previous practice of shipping the product for free.
The planters also bemoaned arbitrary acts by the mill that drastically affected their capacity to sustain the economic viability of their farm operations.
The impasse led to a unanimous resolution by the sugar planters from the Talisay-Silay Milling District to discontinue milling from the Talisay – Silay Milling Company and expressed their collective desire to put up a sugar manufacturing facility of their own.
It was a daring proposition. All sugar mills in the Philippines at that time were put up and operated by private investors and corporations. Sugar planters were merely sources of the vital raw material – sugarcane.
For sugar planters to put up and operate a milling facility by themselves was a very risky paradigm shift, never before attempted and was not even an option. But FFHC is not one to stand by the side and watch as history unfolds. Like its Founding Fathers, FFHC is one to create a story of its own.
That is why First Farmers is Always First.
In 1997, the Philippine Sugar Millers Association (PSMA) recognized First Farmers as the Most Environment-Friendly sugar mill in the country.
After a period of hibernation, the First Farmers Holding Corporation (FFHC) website is back and brandishes a new look!
Get your regular dose of News and Events and learn more about the men and women who make First Farmers always first.
Visit our Corporate Profile and get to know the dynamic organization that continues to transcend norms and defy the challenges of our times.
Would you like to know our story? Read about us as Nicolas Ledesma weaves an engaging backstory of how First Farmers was born in his book “Meeting the Challenge of their Time: The Story of the First Farmers.”
Travel back in time as we provide you a glimpse of our first years in vintage black and white pictures. Our gallery entitled “The Vintage Years” will be a nostalgic look into the past 55 years.
Did you know that First Farmers is more than just sugar? FFHC produces among the best raw and refined sugar in the country but we offer more than that. FFHC also produces power, molasses and bagasse. It also provides transport and hauling services. Want to know more? Our “Products & Services” section is just a click away.
Logging in to your Planter’s account has never been more convenient. Just visit the “Planters’ Section” and you get access to your exclusive data portal. Try it now!
Take a peek at our “Career Opportunities” button. Build your future with us and be part of our vibrant group of individuals where ideas are valued and you are important.
Welcome to First Farmers!
First Farmers Holding Corporation (FFHC) capped the year last December 18, 2019 with a masquerade-themed Christmas Thanksgiving program and a showcase of talents from its employees.
The activity started with a Holy Mass at the partially-rehabilitated company chapel, celebrated by Brgy. Dos Hermanas Parish Priest, Fr. Salvador Esganan.
In his homily, Fr. Esganan explained the real essence of Christmas and the significance of the birth of Jesus Christ to everyone.
FFHC General Manager Jose Rojo Alisla, in his response, echoed Fr. Esganan’s message of thanksgiving. “We should always find reasons to be thankful for especially this Christmas. While the first half of the crop year has been very challenging industry-wide, we should remain thankful for the blessings that have come our way despite the temporary troubles”, the GM adds.
After the mass, employees donned their masks and proceeded to the adjoining Sports Club facility to kick off the second part of the celebration. Employees and offices participated in the Christmas Masquerade Mask Contest, Christmas Group Presentation Competition and the Christmas Tree-Making Contest.
Rosemarie Ramos of the Office of the Manufacturing Manager bested the rest with a well-applauded presentation of her creative and colourful mask in the masquerade mask contest. Coming in second was Ronel Sanchez of the Water Management Section, followed by Ludgarda Veniegas of Accounting Department in third.
In the Christmas Group Presentation, the song and dance rendition of the Administration Group edged the Masskara-inspired presentation of the Office of the President to emerge as champion with the latter coming in a close second. The group from the Office of the General Manager finished third, while the Office of the Manufacturing Manager and the Office of the Power Manager came in fourth and fifth, respectively.
Meanwhile, the Administration Group defended its title in the Christmas Tree-making contest as judges unanimously chose their tree made up of shredded used plastic from the cooling tower as the best among the submitted outputs. Second place went to the Office of the Power Manager with their tree made up of colourful and recycled plastic bottles. The Office of the Manufacturing Manager, Office of the General Manager and the Office of the President won as third, fourth and fifth, respectively.
This year, FFHC launched the I AM F.I.R.S.T. Award for employees who never missed a day of work. Twenty-six (26) employees have posted perfect attendance namely: Marjorie Blancaflor, Alejandro Recaido, Decen Suarez, Antonio Nelson Lacson III , Jonathan Acain, Josephine Castigador, Rogelio Hechanova Jr., Gigi Lescano, Arnelo Jardio, Alan Baylon, Perlito Descutido, Noel Estrella, Adrian Fernandez, Giovani Quiapo, Jonvir Vargas, Modesto Villalva II, Cherlito Villaram Jr., Joevan De la Cruz, Vincent Emonaga, Ronaldo Patajo, Diosdado Perez, Ervin Sugaron, Mario Senares, Jeffrey Artus, Danilo Lacson and Girlie Postrero.
In the end, all employees received prizes during the raffle draw as well as grocery packages courtesy of the FFHC management.
The 55-inch smart TV grand prize was won by Joevan De La Cruz of the Mill Department. Roy Alentahan of the Raw House Department took home the Refrigerator as the second prize while Erwin Borlan of the Refinery Department grabbed the third prize of Magic Sing.
The latest round of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) audit conducted by TÜV-NORD concluded on a high note for First Farmers Holding Corporation (FFHC).
The TÜV-NORD Group is a technical service provider based in Germany that works to validate the safety of products and services of all kinds to protect humans, material assets and the environment against hazards.
Country representative Constantino Consigna, Jr., who conducted the audit last December 26-27, 2019, expressed positive reviews over FFHC’s compliance to the observations and findings made prior to the latest evaluation.
Engr. Mary Jane Ignao, FFHC Quality Assurance Department (QAD) Head and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Committee Co-chairperson, relayed the conversation she had with the auditor where Consigna said that he is favourably endorsing the certification of FFHC for HACCP.
“This is welcome news indeed. First Farmers is always committed to the continuous improvement of its products and processes and having hurdled the stringent requirements for HACCP certification is a major step forward. It was a team effort and the initiative was fully supported by both management and our employees”, Engr. Ignao said.
HACCP is an internationally recognized method of identifying and managing food safety related risks. Many of the world’s best manufacturers and vendors use the system as a basis for their food safety management programs.
FFHC General Manager Jose Rojo Alisla expressed his appreciation to TÜV-NORD for partnering with FFHC in its quality and food safety assurance program.
“The HACCP certification is just one of the many innovation initiatives that we are doing here at First Farmers. We always put premium to our clients and stakeholders that is why we frequently undergo audit evaluations from regulatory and certifying bodies to further improve our quality and provide the best products for our consumers. Quality products and services will always be good for business. And what is good for our business will be good for our organization and our stockholders”, Alisla adds.
It was supposed to be like any other day.
Fire hit the Materials Management Department (MMD) warehouse and reports of a number of injuries and casualties soon spread among the offices.
First Farmers Holding Corporation (FFHC) employees were going about their usual late morning work routines and preparing to clear their desks to make room for plates and bowls for lunch. Some were already in their two mouthful of rice when a fire warning was heard all over the mill.
Employees immediately dropped what they were doing and scampered to a designated evacuation area.
A number of firetrucks and ambulance vehicles were seen rushing in and out of the MMD vicinity as firefighters and rescuers were busy containing the fire and responding to the injured and employees trapped inside the building.
But there was never really an actual fire and there were really no actual casualties.
The simulated fire scenario was part of the five-day Fire and Emergency Response training conducted by the Talisay City Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (CDRRMC) with pre-selected FFHC employees last December 2 – 6, 2019 at the First Farmers Training Center.
The training is an annual undertaking of the BFP and CDRRMC with FFHC as part of the group’s emergency readiness program. The conduct of the exercise is also a requirement in the issuance of the BFP’s Fire Safety Inspection Certificate (FSIC) that evaluates the company’s capability and readiness in responding to any natural or man-made emergencies.
Twenty-nine (29) employees have managed to survive the rigorous training which includes actual fire fighting activities and rescue simulations from top of buildings as well as first aid treatments and search and rescue operations.
Successfully passing the weeklong seminar-workshop were Janmel Miatapal, Danilo Tapalla, John Mark Veniegas, Gypsy Bonifacio, Humphrey Michael Lala, Saturnino Catubig Jr., Adrian Tubianosa, Christian Castellano, Patrick Owen Cumbalon, Modesto Villalva III, Joseph Quiben, Cherlito Villaram Jr., Hernando J. Bauden Jr., Dave Gargavite, Vincent Erasmo, Limuel Benedian, Paulo Cortez, Teegy Gallego, Sarji Jan Segovia, Rheo Mabasa, Jefferson Paderes, Rhoderick Perez, Franz Viviene Advincula, Patrick John Asan, Noville Ablao, Joselito Pahilona, Fernando Donguines Jr., Casper Apinan, and Jhoebe Von Velarde.
The training was an undertaking of FFHC’s Environment and Safety Section (ESS) headed by Frans Viviene Advincula under the supervision of Jhoebe Von Vhelarde of the Office of the General Manager.
“It was physically taxing and intensive. The volunteers had their challenging moments but everyone pulled through. In the end, it was an experience worth taking for all of us. We are better first responders at the end of the workshop”, Advincula notes.
Meanwhile, Velarde relayed the company’s appreciation to the BFP and CDRRMC for their continued support to FFHC’s capability building initiatives.
First Farmers Holding Corporation (FFHC) volunteers, armed with sticks and brooms, sacks and gloves, and a deep conviction for the environment, trooped to Imbang River in November last year as part of the company’s contribution in the nationwide effort to help clean esteros and river systems all over the country.
FFHC is a partner of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in its Adopt-an-Estero/Water Body Program, a collaborative undertaking between and among the estero community, donor-partner, the private sector, local government units, other government agencies, and the DENR to achieve a cleaner, safer and healthier environment.
In response to the call for support, FFHC recently adopted the Imbang River, a major river system in Brgy. Dos Hermanas, Talisay City, and has since then conducted a number of clean up initiatives.
On March 29, 2019, in the first of a series of environmental initiatives, FFHC launched the program with employees and volunteers cleaning the riverside of trash starting downstream up to the Litik dam upstream.
Two months later, on June 22, the company conducted another drive and collected a total of 19 sacks, or almost three quarters of a ton of garbage.
On September 21, 2019, in time for the celebration of the Philippine Water and World Water Day, the clean-up drive was complemented with a tree-planting activity.
And finally, last November 16, 2019, volunteers braved the scorching heat of the sun as they proceeded to again clean the river surroundings up to the De Agua bridge.
Noville Ablao of the Environment and Safety Section (ESS) lauded the effort of all those who participated.
“We are as committed more than ever in sustaining our initial accomplishments. We know that we have to do more and encourage many others to get involved. It has been a promising start and we will continue to pursue this program and similar other environmental initiatives in our advocacy for clean water and the rehabilitation and restoration of our waterways, especially the Imbang river,” Ablao adds.
