The Filinvest Group’s Cotabato Sugar Central Co., Inc. (Cotabato Sugar) in Brgy. Kilada, Matalam, North Cotabato, has reached a historic milestone, milling more than one million metric tons of sugarcane following long-term improvements since its acquisition in 2002. This represents exceeding its target for the current milling season by over 42%.
Cotabato Sugar is a sugar mill and refinery first established in 1978. It caters to sugar cane farmers in the North Cotabato area and the neighboring provinces of Sultan Kudarat and Maguindanao. The facility had a challenging history, having experienced closure twice, once in 1986 and again in 2000. The Gotianun family purchased and rehabilitated the facility in 2002, resuming operations in 2003.
Over the years, the Filinvest Group has invested in modernizing its operations, optimizing efficiency, and strengthening the capabilities of its workforce, all of which contributed to the successful outcome of this milling season.
“This is more than just a number,” said Juan Eugenio Roxas, President and CEO of Cotabato Sugar. “It represents not only decades of perseverance and the evolution of our milling operations but also the countless changes and sacrifices we have made along the way. It is a testament to our pursuit of operational efficiency. A key factor contributing to this milestone is the significant reduction of factory downtime, which enhanced the planters’ confidence in milling with the facility. Additionally, improved operation and maintenance procedures reinforced the importance of teamwork, strengthening collaboration among teams.
Significant upgrades to the mill include enhanced mill rollers, imbibition automation, and online instrumentation monitoring of key parameters. The efficiency of the process house has been alsoo ptimized through operational audits and troubleshooting deficiencies at each station. These improvements have collectively increased daily capacity, therefore reducing downtime and enhancing throughput per hour.
“The dedication and teamwork exhibited by our employees were paramount in achieving this feat,” Roxas emphasized. “Our employees’ unwavering commitment to excellence has made all the difference.
Roxas ended, “As Filinvest commemorates its 70th anniversary, this achievement of Cotabato Sugar exemplifies the conglomerates core values, specifically, customer centricity, change for the better, and shared benefits, ensuring inclusive growth for all stakeholders.”