By MAE SINGUAY
BACOLOD City — The true measure of wealth is not how much a man gains but how much he shares with others.
Such is the principle that guides Ramon Uy, owner of R U Foundry and Machine Shop. He has always been passionate in his desire to help alleviate the lives of local farmers.
Under the company, Uy set up R U Ecological-Agricultural Foundation, which aims to help farmers increase their income by teaching them technologies on organic farming and providing them a venue where they can sell their produce.
Some of the foundation’s beneficiaries are the Friends of the Highlands Producers Cooperative (FHPC) in Sitio Tabidiao, Barangay Mailum, Bago City, Negros Occidental, and several farmers from Barangay Camalandaan, Cauayan town.
R U Foundry provided the cooperative a shredder, which the latter used in its vermicomposting project.
Camalandaan farmers, meanwhile, received a distiller to process lemon grass and citronella, which are used in producing oil.
“The shredder is a big help to our agriculture and livelihood as we shift to organic farming,” FHCP president Rodel Cadigal said. “We are confident that the project (vermicomposting) will be positive and productive in just a month’s time.”
“R U Foundry also helped us become responsible stewards of the environment and promote healthy living,” he said.
On Tuesday, R U Foundry and Machine Shop celebrated its 40th anniversary.
The company has been consistent in providing quality farming machines. It was granted by TUV Rheinland an ISO 9001:2008 certificate for being a designer and manufacturer of agricultural machineries, equipment, and other metal parts and components through casting, machining, and fabrication.
Focusing on production of industrial supplies, the company began its operations in 1974 with a capital of P3,000. Its first client was the Central Hawaiian in Silay City.
Like any business, R U Foundry and Machine Shop also experienced a low. It went bankrupt in 2000. This, however, did not deter the spirit of the owner, as he shifted his business from industrial to agricultural supplies.
He then established “Produce Ur Own Organic” (Puro Organic), which specializes in adding value to organic products so these can be sold at a fair price.
With these developments, it was inevitable for the company to eventually open May’s Organic Garden and Restaurant.
Located in Sitio Aning, Barangay Pahanocoy south of this city, May’s Organic Garden is a six-hectare eco-park that also serves as a big showcase and learning center for organic farming. With many function rooms and shared guest rooms, it is a perfect venue for trainings on vermicomposting, organic farming, and other agricultural technologies.
It also has a romantic garden and a big air-conditioned pavilion for formal gatherings like birthdays and weddings. Prenuptial photography at the garden may be arranged with the management.
Moreover, guests young and old can enjoy other activities — swimming, boating, swan boating, fishing, and horseback riding.
R U Foundry and Machine Shop has remained a relevant fixture in the local business circle because it remained true to its core purpose. Looking forward to more decades, it will surely leave a legacy of changing the face of the agriculture sector./PN
