About JAKA Group
GROWTH

Operations began as scheduled and proceeded with less difficulty than expected despite management’s relative inexperience in the wood and matchstick industries. To ensure an adequate supply of softwood, management negotiated with larger and more stable suppliers for deliveries even at premium prices. To compensate for the low prices of logs in the world market, management instituted cost reduction programs, increased the number of equipment and provided the requisite support.

During this time, JAKA likewise established its own security group and called it Sigma Security Services Incorporated. This complemented the need of the group because Sigma was tasked to maintain peace and order in the isolated areas of the plantations. The Group was also able to operate and hurdle different problems including that of labor through efficient solution in which it improved labor relations and bared the emphasis on professionalism in all dealings with employees, suppliers, customers and creditors. At the end of the first year of operation, the Group had these to show for its efforts: The full repayment of Phimco’s Php11.7 million obligation to various banks; the payment of the Php17.03 million installment on the Php82.3 million liability to Phimco and RMI’s recognition of a Php 2.0 million income on its first year alone.

With full confidence in its management ability, JAKA was ready to expand. Finding the best opportunities for new growth in the agricultural field, the Group formed Cocoland Development Corporation (CDC) in May 1980. CDC was tasked to produce cacao, coffee and black pepper. For this purpose, the Group bought parcels of land in Lamitan, Basilan Island from Philippine International Development Incorporated. With the set-up of CDC, the Group entered into the third phase of development through purposive diversification.