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HISTORY OF CAPIZ SUGAR CENTRAL(Formerly Central Azucarera de Pilar) History of Central Azucarera de Pilar In the year 1922, the Ynchausti’s a German family, owned the Sara – Ajuy Sugar Central, the mill was established at barrio Tipakla, Ajuy, Iloilo through the assistances of Engr. Buck and Engr. Hain after several years of operations, the Elizalde and Company, Inc. have acquired the sugar central through the efforts of Mr. Frederick Von Kaufmann. The Ynchausti Family later on sold the sugar central to the Elizalde’s in the year 1923. After the acquisition of the Sara-Ajuy Sugar Central the Elizalde’d sustained its operation at the existing 120,000 tons cane average per crop year, driven by an ambitious desire to mill more canes, to increase its income and revenues. However, the supply of sugarcanes then was limited because of the existence of Santos-Lopez Sugar Central. The Elizalde’s need more land to support the central. Thereby planned for an expansion, after consultation with the experts, it was decided to transfer the mill to a more spacious land area where the source of water for the factory is available and large hectares of cane field can be readily served for cane planting. The crowded and competitive situation in Ajuy, for both sugars central finds relief for the transfer. In the preceding years, the Elizalde’s find out that a small mascuvado sugar mill was operating in the town of Pilar.,Capiz. Initially they purchased the said mascuvado mill and its sugar land, to develop it into a pure sugar mill. The process of transferring sugar central equipment’s was done at the developed mascuvado mill. In the year 1934, the newly rehabilitated and developed sugar mill was named Central Azucarera de Pliar, because it was located at the town of Pilar, Capiz. The sugar central continually operated harmoniously and improving in the next years and the management had planned for massive expansions. While the central was on the expansion programs, the Japanese forces invaded the Philippines and everything were laid aside because the primary concerns were for the safety of their families and caught in the middle of turmoil and destructions everybody’s concern were to escape to away direct confrontation with the soldiers of the invading forces, still some believed that the situation was soon be over. For several years from 1942 to 1945 the Japanese forces occupied the country putting the sugar industry at an empty stand still, until 1944 to 1945, General Douglas MacArthur fulfilled his promise and returned to the Philippines and liberated the nation. It was the most heroic event at that time as the Filipino people shouted with you and gratitude to the almighty for saving them, from oppression and to General Douglas MacArthur for being instrumental in bringing back peace to the nation.

After the war in 1945-1946, the Sugar Central started rehabilitation of its equipment and machines and also encouraged the planters to start planting sugarcane. The managements of Central Azucarera de Pilar supported the normal activities of the sugar planters by providing them the necessary materials and technology. The planters with meager capability to start were able to cover 1,544 hectares planted to canes, this initial action assured the next crop year. For C.Y. 1948-1949 the productions of the cane fields resulted to almost double than the initial output. In 1954-1955 crop years, the available planted areas reached 4,665 hectares and produced 316,653 piculs of raw sugar.

However, it was in crop year 1957-1958 when the biggest results were really achieved when the factory produced about 533,142 piculs rising better seed pieces and the latest sugar technology to the forms and the factory. In reviewing the existence of a sugar central to the locality was a staggering reality. A previous passive place can become an instant center of progress as all types of business can grow overnight. People come in droves to set-up all types of endeavors to make money, where there are people that are where the monies are. From selling goods to gambling’s, to entertainment. The central needs people and people earn money and businesses take the opportunities to share in the income. This basic situation explains why Lutod-lutod became a municipality in a few years. The benefits can only be summarized as a result of progress. In the transfer of the sugar central from Ajuy, Iloilo to Pilar, Capiz the sugar central not only gained of the advantages of the availability of the precious areas for planting sugar cane there were several towns that wanted their untapped lands to be used for planting sugar canes. Aside from Pilar, there were Panitan, Pontevedra, and Maayon still available for use for sugarcane planting. However, the most advantageous were the availability of fresh water from the Alñgon River. The river can sufficiently support the needs of the Equipment and Machine of the Factory. The water supplies coming from the barrios of Manoling, Badiangon, Bayuyan, Carmencita and Sto. Niño had continuously supplied by the Mount Yating. Even during summer month warm water can still supply the needs of the factory. Also the sugar central took opportunity of the availability of local workers both for use in the factoyr or at the sugar cane fields. During harvest season workers migrate from Antique, Aklan and Iloilo to work as cane cutters, loaders to other farm activities such as welders, seed pieces sorters, seed pieces planters, canal makers, fertilizer applicators and etc. Because of the good fortune offered by the existence of the sugar mill, transient workers finding better life and better income for their families begun to evaluate the situation and decided to stay for good as resident, spending their income to build their own houses as provision for incoming arrival of their respective families and to permanently reside to their owned house lots. The lots owners Don Manolo Elizalde had purchase several hectares of land as residential lots for the workers at the factory and awarded to deserving, workers and employees for free, but be leaved upon retirement in the future. After the new residents occupied their house and established their presence, including their families, after obtaining their permanent status, as workers of the sugar central, they abandoned their political outlook and venture to express their vocal opinion supported by reliable assessment of the prevailing situation and further inspired for more deserving goals, they opted for a more stronger and solid foundation for self-governance self-expression, self- esteem and self-respect. In the year 1949, the leaders later-on talked about separate government and separate identity. They talked about progress and purpose. Their plans already underway and thinking that nothing can stop them in pursuing their ambitions as majority of the populace cried for independence. Finally, in November 30, 1949 with support of the management of the sugar central provincial government and political leaders at the House of Congress approve the clamor of the people to make the place a municipality. They initiated the sitio of Poblacion Elizalde to be converted into municipality of President Roxas to honor President Manuel A. Roxas being a Capizeño and the only President from the province of Capiz. It will be remembered, that Don Manolo Elizalde, by the government and private sectors with respect. He was a leader in all phase of sectors. He was a philanthropist, educator, and sportsman and was loved for his undying help to all athletes. For his workers and employees he would do anything to help them. As president of Central Azucarera de Pilar. He approved the following: 1. Free hospitalization for all regular employees. 2. Rice subsidy for regular employees. 3. Housing allowance for all regular employees. 4. Retirement benefits. 5. Construction of school building free schooling for grade school pupils. 6. Construction of school building for the secondary students by sponsoring the Elizalde Academy. 7. Bought several hectares for residential lots for the workers. 8. Constructed the medical clinic building and provided it with two doctors, one dentist, and nurses to take care of the medical needs of the workers and their families. 9. Constructed the Pharmacy building and assigned one pharmacist with two assistants to help in the release of prescribed medicine for free. The Elizalde Academy was primarily constructed to help the children of the workers to be educated since primary and secondary education expenses were a burden to workers of the company. It is his belief that the only way to alleviate the lives of the workers is to give them education. It is for this reason that a high school was incorporated on August 1949 under and in accordance to with the commonwealth Act # 253 dated July 1949, the honor of pioneering this educational venture could be attributed to the incorporators under the leadership of Mayor Braulio M. Patricio and Vice Mayor Felicisemo M. Asis giving support to the school up to the time when the new administration took over. It offered 1st and 2nd year classes only. In July 1950 the school renewed its permit and opened the 3rd and 4th year classes making the course a complete academic secondary. The following year enrollment doubled that of the previous year, but the year there after it frapped down to a very discouraging number, for the reason that the school cannot cape-up with requirements of the government. The school was on the near closure, fortunately the officials of Cetral Azucarera de Pilar with a handful of employees headed by the Resident General Manager, Mr. Antonio Belzarena and Asst. Resident Manager, Mr. Sebastian Corro with approval of Manila head office offered, financial banking with the cooperation from the sugar planters, the Locsin and Cosing Family. This time the school applied for government recognition and in view of the fact that the school has completed each and every requirement of the Bureau of Private School. It is expected that before the opening of school year 1955-1956 they was receive government recognition. Secretary of the Bureau of Private School of that time Secretary Aldama who happened to be the cousin of Mr. Felipe Salcedo, an employee of Central Azucarera de Pilar was delegated by the Management to negotiate the said recognition and with good luck the recognition was immediately granted. The contribution of Elizalde Academy to the academic success of the sons and daughters of the employees and workers of Central Azucarera de Pilar is the product of a sincere and generous employer. Now the school is an alma mater for successful student whose belief to the concept that knowledge is power and a solution to poverty. With the celebration of the Alumni Homecoming every May 1st alumni gather in thousands to remember their alma mater and rejoice to the gift of the Almighty to their lives, to them, their families, teachers, community and friend. They will always remember the wonderful gift – Don Manolo Elizalde. Having achieved in running the mill efficiently strengthened their confidence to expand the capacity of the Factory to meet the increasing demand of the planters to expand the planted areas of the sugar cane farms. Consultants recommended to replace the old mills with the Kawasaki Farrel Mill and installed new 2 units Kawasaki Boilers, 2 units Kawasaki vacuum pans, which were installed in 1973. After the installation of the Farrel Mill capacity increased to 4,050 tons cane per day and produced 36,000 picul per week. Eventually, a more tragic event happened to the Philippine sugar industry when President Ferdinand E. Marcos declared Martial Law in 1972, to hold on to power, controlled the citizenry in all aspect of their lives. Those that opposed his will are jailed without questions. The soldiers can arrest anyone who refuses to accept his leadership. For the sugar industry, the creation of NASUTRA was an ultimate suppression of the rights of the people involved in the sugar industry. The process then was: the sugarcane farmers plant the canes, harvest and bring it to the sugar mill and at the end of the week received the corresponding sugar QUEDAN representing the equivalent produce of the canes in picul sugar and sell the quedan to receive the money which will be spent again for cropping for harvest the next year. With the promulgation of the NASUTRA and with authority prescribed in NASUTRA as the only seller of the sugar to sugar imprinter of other countries and NASUTRA collect the proceeds and pay the planters the amount corresponding to the number of piculs stated in the sugar quedan. The discrepancy was the planters know the number of piculs but does not know the price of sugar when it was sold. Only NASUTRA can declare the price of the sold sugar and pay the amount to the planters at them own time. This trading scheme put the sugarcane farmers and the sugar mill at the brink of bankrupt because unable to receive the proceeds of the sole, work at the cane fields would be adversely affected as delays in planting of seed pieces will results to losses, delay in application of fertilizer will result to losses and delay in the use of equipment will result to more losses. The worst part is wages were delayed and the anger of a hunger family will result to immeasurable destruction to crop and to human dignity. During that time the situation were in human, cruel and with disrespect, for human dignity. Many were reported to have lost respect for the laws that once guided everyone to respect the rights of another human being. Only patience, prayers and respect to God restrained them to put the laws in the palms of their hands, when the situations were over, people remembered the times with tears in their eyes and angers in their hearts. Before the installation of the new Farrel mill, Makati head office decided to the installation to the new units at the Boiling House Dept. to anticipate the capacity of the Farrel mill and the work ended by 1978. While the foundations of the mill were being worked-on, the Boiling House was expanded to receive the capacity of the new mill when the installation was done. In 1983 the new mill operated and the Central Azucarera de Pilar were applauded to the success of the extension programs. In the next preceding crop years, 1988-1989-1990, the sugar industry goes to its survival and instability. The Elizalde and Co. was greatly affected of this turmoil. The company experienced great losses on their other businesses, and have not timely paid their loans on banks and other lending institutions. The central later on was undergone into APT by the bank they mortgaged. Subsequently, the Uygongco’s, a Filipino-Chinese family business tycoon prominently engaged in flour milling industry have claimed the mortgaged central and assumes its loans including penalties to acquire it permanently on the next years. Officers of Sara-Ajuy Sugar Central year 1927-1934 Freaderick Von Kauffman - Residential General Manager Antonio Belzarena - Asst. Res. Gen. Manager Salvador Vanga - Chief Engineer Emilio Andaya - Asst. Chief Engineer Diosdado Tanco - Chief, Chemist Mr. Martinez - Cashier Antonio Sarria, Sr. - Chief Sugar and Property Wave houseman Officers of Central Azucarera de Pilar year 1934-1958 Antonio Belzarena - Resident General Manager Sebastian Corro - Asst. Res. Gen. Mgr. / Cashier Mortin Hain - Chief Engineer Emilio Andaya - Asst. Chief Engineer Diosdado Tanco - Chief Chemist Ignacio Sanchez - Transportation Supt.

Emilio Rasco - Asst. Cashier TOMAS S. SOLIS, SR. - Bookkeeper Liberato Jequinto - Surveyor Officers of Central Azucarera de Pilar year 1958- 1959 Elizalde and Co. INC. - General Manager Celso Lobregat - Managing Director Technical Consultants: Leopoldo De Ocampo - Mech. And Elect. Engineer Alexander Gordon - Agriculture J.S. Zulueta & Co. - Auditors Board of Directors: Manuel Elizalde - President Jesus Cabarrus - Vice President Raffael Beltran - Treasurer / Director Fausto Preysler - Vice Treasure/ Director Celso Lobregat - Managing Director Jose Ma. Catucom - Secretary Pacifico de Acampo - Vice Secretary Antonio Belzarena - Director Mill Site Staff Members- Pres. Roxas. Antonio Belzarena - Resident Gen. Manager Sabastian Corro - Asst. Res. Gen. Mgr. / Accountant Diosdado Tanco - Chief Chemist Emilio Andaya - Chief Engineer Manuel D. Cosgayon - Sugar Boiler Ignacio Sanchez - Transportation Supt. Liberato Jequinto - Chief Survey & Field Dept. Laureano Frial - Physician Officers of Central Azucarera de Pilar year 1959-1961 Elizalde and Co. INC. - General Manager Celso Lobregat - Managing Director Technical Consultants: Leopoldo De Ocampo - Mech. And Elect. Engineer Alexander Gordon - Agriculture Staff Member-Mill Site, Pres. Roxas, Capiz Antonio Belzarena - Resident Gen. Manager Sabastian Corro - Asst. Res. Gen. Mgr. / Accountant Diosdado Tanco - Chief Chemist Emilio Andaya - Chief Engineer Manuel D. Cosgayon - Sugar Boiler Ignacio Sanchez - Transportation Supt. Liberato Jequinto - Chief Survey & Field Dept. Laureano Frial - Physician Board of Directors: Manuel Elizalde - President Eduardo Yrezabal - Vice President Celso Lobregat - Managing Director Fausto Preysuer - Treasurer Jose Ma. Catucom - Secretary Jose Alonso - Asst. Treasurer Pacifico de Acampo - Asst. Secretary Rafael Beltran - Director Antonio Belzarena - Director Officers of Central Azucarera de Pilar year 1961-1972 Director: Manuel Elizalde Eduardo Yrezabal Rafael Beltran Celso Lobregat Antonip Belzarena Officers Manuel Elizalde - President Eduardo Yrezabal - Vice President Fausto Preysler - Treasurer Jose Maria Catucom - Secretary Jose A. Alonso - Asst. Treasurer Pacifico De Acampo - Asst. Secretary Elizalde & Co. INC. - General Managers Manila: Celso Lobregat - Managing Director Antonio Carro - Office Manager Adolfo Yrezabal - Asst. Office Manager Technical Consultants: Leopoldo De Ocampo - Mechanical / Electrician Engineer Alexander Epraon - Agriculture Pres. Roxas, Capiz: Sebastian Corro - Resident General Manager Diosdado Tanco - Asst. Resident Manager Raul A. Belita - Factory Manager Ramon Sarria - Transportation Manager Manuel Fernandez - Finance Manager Felipe Velasco - Mill Superintendent Manuel Cosgayon - Boiling House Supt. Lerma Joaquin - Chief Chemist Bienvenido Sian - Chief Sugar Wave Houseman Mill Site Officers, Pres. Roxas, Capiz Crop year 1972-1974

Alfredo Ordoñez - Resident General Manager Raul Belita - Factory Manager Ramon Sarria - Transportation Manager Nestor Abanil - Finance Manager Felipe Jelasco - Mill Supt. Recardo Magsila - Boiling House Supt. Lorna Servita - Chief Chemist Mill Site Offires, Pres. Roxas, Capiz Crop year 1975-1978

Raul Belita - Resident General Manager Eriberto Pampuega - Factory Manager Danilo Catalan - Finance Manager Antonio Sarria, Jr. - Transportation Manager Felipe Velasco - Mill Supt. Ricardo Magsica - Boiling House Supt. Lorna Servita - Chief Chemist Mill Site Officer Pres. Roxas, Capiz

crop year 1979-1984

Raul Belita - Resident General Manager Eriberto Pampuega - Factory Manager Fred Miguel - Finance Manager Antonio Sarria, Jr. - Transportation Manager Felipe Velasco - Mill Supt. Ricardo Magsica - Boiling House Supt. Lorna Servita - Chief Chemist Mill Site Officer Pres. Roxas, Capiz

crop year 1983-1984

Raul Belita - Resident General Manager Eriberto Pampuega - Factory Manager Elwin Corvera - Finance Manager Felipe Velasco - Transportation Manager Ramon Samson - Mill Supt. Diosdado Lim, Jr. - Boiling House Supt. Lorna Servita - Chief Chemist Mill Officers Pres. Roxas, Capiz C.Y. 1985-1989

Raul Belita - VP, Capiz Operations Eriberto Pampuega - Resident General Manager Diosdado Lim, Jr. - Factory Manager Elwin Corvera - Finance Manager Ramon Samson - Transportation Manager Lester Jumagdao - Mill Supt. Gonzalo Escosla - Power/ Maintenance Supt. Romeo Durana - Boiling House Supt. Lorna Servita - Chief Chemist

By: Santo A. Solis