Hijo
Through the Years

HIJO STARTED

1959

1959

A group of Americans led by William Odell Sold their 2,000 hectare abaca plantation, Inc., Twin Rivers Plantation and Utley Plantation, Inc.

1966

1966

The companies were sold to a group headed by Ned Putnam. The newgroup under its manager, Sam Fukuda, included Fuji Fruits Co.

1968

1968

Jose “Boy” Tuason, Jr. bought the Ned Putnam holdings through Tuason Enterprises Inc. Jesus V. Ayala was appointed manager of the new company. Production of export-grade Cavendish bananas started.

1969

1969

Hijo partnered with Philippine Packing Corporation, the philippine subsidiary of Del Monte International (DMI, for its marketing, financial and technical services. With DMI’s banana technological experties, the culvitation of bananas was accelerated.

May 21, 1969

May 21, 1969

Hijo sent its first shipment of Cavenish bananas to Japan. The Philippine Banana Industry was born.

1970

1970

Hijo’s founder, Jose “Boy” Tuason, Jr., perished in a plane crash.

1971

1971

Berth No. 1 of the pier was completed.

1972

1972

Hijo registered its banana operation at the BOI under a Preferred Non-Pioneer status allowing for the full development of it’s banana lands. Utley Plantation was dissolved.

1976

1976

LOI 790, a law that allows 25,00 hectares of land to be used for banana planting, was created. Davao Fruits Corporation (DFC) expanded to take advatage of this government mandate.

1982

1982

The partnership with DMI was cancelled. The function marketing merger of Davao Fruits Corporation (DFC), Hijo and TR as one of the four large banana exporters to Japan started. Known internally as DAHITRI, the group included Sumitomo Fruits and Fuji Fruits as their Japanese partners. The group now owned 6,400 hectares of banana land with export targets of 15 million boxed per annum. Bert No. 2 of the Hijo pier was completed.

1983 to 1991

1983 to 1991

Profit growth reached unprecented levels for consortium. At the behest of the Fuji group, the general management contract of Tuason Del Rosario (TDR) was terminated. JVA Management Corporation (JVAMC) took over.

1988

1988

Republic Act 6657 known as the comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (CARL) took effect. Hijo chose to avail of the 10-year deferment period coverage. Under the supervision of the Department of Agriculture (DAR), the company entered into a production and profit sharing scheme with the worker-beneficiaries.

1990s

1990s

Successive climate changes and weather phenomena caused major setbacks to banana production causing significant impact to the company’s financial strength.

1992

1992

Three cooperatives were created in preparation for the turnover of the farms under the CARP Law. Each of these cooperatives entered into a marketing and production contract with Hijo for their respective production.

1994

1994

As part of its compliance to the CARP Law, the companies offered the plantations to DAR on a Voluntary Offer to Sell (VOS) basis.

Late 1990’s

Late 1990’s

The Companies went into transition from banana production as its core business to the marketing of bananas and pier operation.

1997

1997

Hijo and APO files just compensation cases on the land surrended under the VOS which were undervalued by the Land Bank at the time of purchase.

1999

1999

A long term contract was entered into with Lapanday Agriculture Corporation for banana sales and marketing, port use, lease of port facilities, use of airstrip and shipping road.

2006

2006

The Tuason group bought the shares of the JVA group under a modified leverage buy-out.

2007

2007

The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Hijo’s just compensation case.

June 30, 2009

June 30, 2009

The Corporate life of Hijo Resources Corporation was extended for another 50 years. Hijo celebrated its Golder Anniversary.

2011

2011

2015

2015

2018

2018

2019

2019

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