The Confederation of Sugarcane Producers Association Inc. (CONFED), the country’s leading federation in sugar production, announced on Sunday, Jan. 18, that it has welcomed 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, a CONFFED press release said.
At last count, Jalasig has 5,657 farmer-members, up to 90 percent 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”, the press release said.
In their Board Meeting on January 14, Jalasig headed by Hernando Y. Divinagracia Jr. unanimously voted to join CONFED as a regular member.
CONFED President Aurelio Gerardo J. Valderrama Jr. welcomed the move, thanking the Jalasig Board for its vote of confidence.
“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 said.*
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