Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. lauded Universal Robina Corp. (URC) for its P5.4 billion investment in a new flour milling plant in Sariaya, Quezon, calling it a significant step in enhancing the country’s food security and agricultural sector.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., Universal Robina Corporation Chairman Lance Gokongwei, Secretary Conrado Estrella of the Department of Agrarian Reform, Local Government Officials from Quezon attended the event.
The plant, located in Barangay Talaan-Aplaya, spans 10 hectares and is the third facility of its kind under URC, the food manufacturing arm of the Gokongwei Group.
Speaking at the flour mill’s inauguration, Sec. Tiu Laurel cited the crucial role the facility would play in ensuring steady availability of high-quality flour, a vital ingredient in many staple food products like bread, pasta, cereals, and crackers.
“Flour is integral to our economy, from family dining tables to large-scale food production,” said Tiu Laurel. He noted that the plant’s daily production capacity of 1,320 tons will significantly contribute to meeting the nutritional needs of millions of Filipinos.
Located in a 10-hectare property in Sariaya, the manufacturing facility is scheduled to start commercial operations in January and will directly employ 102 workers.
The new milling facility has an annual production capacity of 297,000 metric tons of flour and 99,000 metric tons of bran and pollard. It is expected to play a key role in ensuring a stable and affordable supply of the products. It features a fully automated milling technology that will streamline flour production, storage, and packaging processes.
Sec. Tiu Laurel said the facility represents a critical link in strengthening the nation’s agricultural value chain, with URC’s commitment to innovation and productivity setting a positive example for the private sector’s role in national development.
Tiu Laurel expressed gratitude to URC for its foresight and for demonstrating how public-private partnerships can advance food security and improve the overall welfare of Filipinos. ###
