The Department of Agriculture (DA) said Universal Robina Corp.’s (URC) P5.4-billion investment in a new flour mill in Sariaya, Quezon will boost food security and the agricultural sector.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. emphasized the plant’s role in ensuring a steady supply of high-quality flour, crucial for producing staple foods like bread, past, and crackers.
“Flour is integral to our economy, from family dining tables to large-scale food production,” he said, noting the plant’s daily production capacity of 1,320 tons.
The plant in Barangay Talaan-Aplaya spans 10 hectares and is URC’s third facility of its kind. It will directly employ 102 workers and is set to begin operations in January.
With an annual capacity of 297,000 metric tons of flour and 99,000 metric tons of bran and pollard, the plant will help stabilize the supply of these products.
Its fully automated milling technology will streamline production, storage and packaging.
Laurel lauded URC for strengthening the agricultural value chain and setting a positive example for public-private partnerships in advancing food security.
The event was also attended by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., URC chairman Lance Gokongwei and local officials.