Mr. Edward Uy, a native of Dumaguete is a 2nd generation agripreneur who began with his father’s business, Joebon Marketing. Joebon began in 1977 as a partnership between Mr. Jose Dy “Bonhong” and Mr. Juanito U. Lee. His father, Mr. Paya Uy, a former employee of InterCo. (International Copra Corporation), was invited by the partners to join, forming a corporation composed of 3 families, the Uy, Lee, and Sy family in 1982. They managed to create an opportunity to capture the copra trading industry in the area with only 3 employees, a manager, weigher and a chemist. Aside from copra trading, they began to venture also in rice and corn trading, fertilizer, salt, and sugar trading.
In 1998, they began their partnership with AFC providing fertilizers to the entire Negros Oriental side while supplying copra products for the whole island of Negros. Aside from copra, rice and corn trading, they also became one of the leaders in the distribution of coconut oil in Negros, even covering parts of Mindanao. Along with other investors, they have built their own oil mill (Dumaguete Coconut Oil Mill) and was able to put up an oil refinery after 8 years. They also went into manufacturing of lard and margarine (Dumaguete Suy, Inc.) and managing a memorial park (The Gardens Memorial Park). Aside from agribusiness, Mr. Edward Uy ventured into different businesses like supplying of surplus or reconditioned trucks, heavy equipment, and generators (Bigfoot Vehicles & Equipments Inc.).
In 2006, the Uy family decided to start their own business under the name of Payalin Trading Inc. wherein currently, Mr. Edward Uy is the President. Payalin Trading Inc. currently consists of around 90 employees and over the last 5 years, have reaffirmed their commitment in helping Atlas promote its technology and brands by campaigning for non-traditional grades. They introduced and promoted these grades to their planters and dealers in the area. They also provide credit line especially for copra farmers and dealers to help them with their livelihood. The company also actively participates in government programs promoting coconut technology and innovations. They are also very keen in learning and make improvements on their line of business especially in the oil and fertilizer industry.
As part of Mr. Edward Uy’s move to push towards innovation and improvement, he had been preparing his youngest son Duke Stefan Uy, a certified public accountant (CPA), to further the legacy of their growing company. Appointed as Chief Financing Officer, and knowledgeable in accounting and audit, Mr. Edward entrusts upon his son to manage financial, auditing related matters, management and purchasing concerns. He has also tasked Duke to deal and promote good customer relations and marketing. Looking towards the future, Mr. Uy is planning to pass on the management torch within 5 years’ time to his next generation. Mr. Uy believes that Duke will be ready and well equipped with knowledge and experience to ensure a better future for Filipino farmers through the promotion of non-traditional grades of AFC. There is no doubt that they support and believe in our vision to “Go for the Global Standard” and will continue in success together with Atlas Fertilizer Corporation.
