Farmer groups welcome Arranza as CEO of CIIF-Oil Mills

MANILA, Philippines - Big coconut farmer’s groups in the country welcomed the reported appointment of Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) president Jesus “Jess” L. Arranza as president and CEO of the CIIF-Oil Mills Group.

The Coconut Peasants’ Reform Alliance (Copra), Small Coconut Farmers Organization (SCFO), Pambansang Koalisyon ng Samahang Magsasaka at Manggagawa sa Niogan (PKSMAN), and Alyansa ng mga Timawang Mag-uugmad as Amihang Mindanao (ATIMAN-Mindanao) issued separate statements hailing the decision of President Arroyo to put a coconut industry institution like Arranza at the helm of the currently under-performing CIIF-Oil Mills.

“We are happy that we now have a professional running the show at the CIIF-Oil Mills Group in the person of Jess Arranza,” said Datu Mao K. Andong Jr., president of Copra.

Andong said Arranza has been in the industry since 1965 when he started his professional career with Baguio Oil after graduating from the University of the East, where he was later cited as one of the school’s Top 60 Graduates of all time.

Arranza transferred to San Pablo Manufacturing, a company under Oil Mills Group, in the early 80s as its vice president of for marketing and made Minola the No. 1 brand in the market.

Oscar C. Solidor, chairman of ATIMAN-Mindanao, said Arranza is a recognized institution in the industry and fighter of the cause of coconut farmers, not only on issues in the country but also in the export markets where there were campaigns to malign the coconut oil.

Efren Villaseñor, national president of PKSMAN, said Arranza is well-respected in the industry because of his over four decades of solid work and commitment to the cause of the industry.

Prudencio Garcia, former president and chair of SCFO, said coconut farmers expect a more vibrant CIIF-Oil Mills as being a known innovator, Arranza is sure to expand the Group’s forays into new productive revenue streams.

Garcia cited, for instance, the bio-diesel production, in which CIIF-Oil Mils was overtaken by smaller outfits despite its clout.

“The current leadership in the CIIF has a lot of explaining to do why they were late to react and take advantage of the demand for bio-diesel as a form of renewable energy,” he said.