Farmer-members of the Dacongcogon Farmers and Producers Cooperative (DFPC) rallied at Kabankalan City Hall on Monday, January 13, urging the revival of the Dacongcogon Sugar Mill (DSM), once a key economic driver in southern Negros Occidental.
DFPC chairperson and retired prosecutor Rolando Parpa, Sr., told Brigada News FM Philippines that the rally was a renewed plea to the current administration for the revival of the sugar mill, whose closure has severely impacted livelihoods and worsened poverty in the hinterland communities of southern Negros Occidental.
“The closure of the DSM has impoverished thousands of farmers, limited their opportunities, and fueled insurgency. This [rally] unites us in a collective plea for the government to act decisively,” Parpa said.
Parpa presented a petition signed by at least 10,000 cooperative members and addressed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. He urged the president to rehab the DSM and asked for a dialogue to explain his administration’s plans for the mill’s revival.
Looking back
Former employee Prosperidad Lorque, who worked at the mill for over 30 years, shared her memories of its vibrant years.
“The mill provided stable jobs and made life easier. Its closure left us with nothing, and poverty has become our constant companion,” Lorque said.
She also recalled how the Dacongcogon mill spurred job opportunities in Kabankalan, neighboring towns, and in the entire island.
Lorque said that she attended the rally to urge the government to revive the mill and stressed that its revival is not just progress—it is the key to peace, as development and stability go hand in hand.
The DSM, established in 1968 by then-strongman Ferdinand Marcos Sr., became a vital lifeline for the local economy. Catholic Bishop Antonio Fortich and Benjamin Gaston organized sugar workers into a cooperative, making them part-owners of the mill.
For 40 years, the mill provided stable jobs and fostered economic growth. However, over time, financial and operational difficulties led the Philippine National Bank (PNB) to foreclose on the property due to its inability to remain profitable.
Today, the mill sits abandoned, with rusting machinery and empty buildings, giving it the appearance of a ghost town. Farmers described the site as a haunting reminder of lost opportunities and unfulfilled potential.
Support
Parpa highlighted the support from barangay resolutions and a manifesto signed by six mayors from the 6th district. Kabankalan City Mayor Benjie Miranda, Sipalay City Mayor Maria Gina Lizares, Ilog Mayor John Paul Alvarez, Candoni Mayor Ray Ruiz, Cauayan Mayor John Rey Tabujara, and Hinobaan Mayor Daph Anthony Reliquias endorsed the mill’s revival.
The manifesto urged the president to grant the farmers’ petition, saying, “We are strongly recommending to you, Mr. President, to grant their petition, which involves a matter of social justice and national security, and considering they are suffering poverty and living in a state of fear in an area affected by conflict.”
In 2023, Malacañang tasked National Security Adviser Eduardo Año and Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) chief Carlito Galvez to evaluate the petition. However, despite their visit to Negros Occidental, the administration failed to respond.
Parpa, in turn, criticized the lack of action, saying, “The farmers’ plea addresses deep-rooted economic and social issues. The government must recognize this as a matter of policy.”
Meanwhile, Mayor Miranda expressed his support for the mill’s revival, emphasizing its critical importance for the economic recovery of the farmers.
He said that he is initiating efforts to attract investors to finance the mill’s restoration. “I fully support the farmers in their fight. Reviving the mill will not only streamline the transport of their produce but also restore their hope for a better future,” Miranda said.
Land Dispute
Farmers and residents are also facing a land dispute over 56 hectares of foreclosed property, where the sugar mill once stood and was previously owned by the DSM.
In 2024, the Philippine National Bank (PNB) filed a writ of possession in a regional court, which the court subsequently approved.
As a result, this writ now threatens to evict 250 families across five sub-villages, including Ipil-Ipil, Molave, Red Mahogany, Langka, and Tar-Apple.
Miranda said the local government is working with PNB to find alternatives and prevent mass evictions. “We aim to ensure that residents retain their homes and livelihoods,” he said.
On the other hand, Parpa remains hopeful that President Marcos Jr. will uphold his administration’s “Bagong Pilipinas” vision and respond to their demand to revive the Dacongcogon Sugar Mill.
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, maintains a personal blog on Medium, and is the communications officer of Hope Builders Organization Negros Island.