Universal Robina Corporation (URC), one of the Philippines' largest food and beverage firms, recently inaugurated its PHP 5.4 billion flour milling plant in Sariaya, Quezon Province, marking a significant expansion in its operations.
The URC Flour Sariaya plant will increase the company’s milling capacity to approximately 3,500 metric tons per day, a substantial rise from its previous capacity of 2,180 MT.
“We are seeing an ever-growing demand for our products,” said Irwin C. Lee, President and CEO of URC. “This new flour mill will allow us to meet that demand, maintain the quality of our products, and keep our price point competitive.”
The plant employs cutting-edge, fully automated milling technology—a first in the Philippines. This advanced system integrates control and monitoring for roller mills, thereby optimizing the production process, reducing wastage, and enhancing overall efficiency. It is also capable of fully automated packing operations, which can further speed up production and reduce wastage.
In his speech at the plant’s launch, Lance Y. Gokongwei, Chairman of URC and President and CEO of JG Summit Holdings, emphasized the strategic significance of the facility. “With the launch of this new flour mill, we are helping lay a solid foundation in advancing food production and security in our country. The addition of this new plant, which is our largest, brings our total milling capacity to an extraordinary 3,470 tons per day, which is equivalent to over 104,100 bags daily,” said Gokongwei. “By significantly increasing our milling capacity and adopting cutting-edge technology, this facility ensures more efficient flour production, which translates to reduced costs for end-users. This efficiency not only supports food security but also contributes to stabilizing commodity prices, mitigating inflationary pressures, and ultimately making essential goods more affordable for Filipino families.”
From left: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.; Irwin C. Lee, URC President and CEO; Lance Gokongwei, URC Chairman and JG Summit President and CEO; Secretary Conrado Estrella III of the Department of Agrarian Reform; and Representative David Suarez of the Second District of Quezon.
Gokongwei also highlighted URC’s unwavering confidence in the country’s economic future, adding, “This PHP 5.4 billion investment is an affirmation of our confidence in our economy and the conducive investment climate in our country. It is also a concrete manifestation of our steadfast support to improving our nation’s food security, aligned to the priorities of His Excellency President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. to enhance agricultural productivity and strengthen the grain sector.”
The 10-hectare facility will generate at least 150 additional jobs for the local community, aligning with URC’s commitment to fostering local development. The mill's strategic location in Sariaya also supports the company's broader goals of contributing to the Philippine economy and ensuring a steady supply of flour for the region.
From left: Naida D. Ebora, URC Flour Commercial Director; Marcia Gokongwei, URC Managing Director; Ellison Dean C. Lee, URC Flour Managing Director; Secretary Conrado Estrella III; Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel of the Department of Agriculture; President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.; Lance Gokongwei; Irwin Lee; Marivic Gayeta; and Patrick Henry Go, URC Executive Vice President. IMAGE URC
The inauguration, held on November 29, 2024, was attended by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who commended URC’s role in strengthening the country’s food security. “In a time when every grain counts, this establishment will aid in ensuring that our people have the resources they need to nourish themselves and the future of our nation,” said President Marcos.
Also present were key government figures, including Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.; Department of Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III; Sariaya Mayor Marcelo Gayeta and his wife Marivic Gayeta; and Representative David Suarez of the Second District of Quezon Province.
From left: Dario Arive Jr., Manuel Lasala Jr., Elvin Michael Cruz, Alvin Geronimo, Francisco del Mundo, Irwin C. Lee, URC Flour endorser Sarah Geronimo–Guidicelli, Ellison Dean C. Lee, Jose Emmanuel Agnir, Gemma Tacata, Atty. Lisa O. Abalajon, Jose Miguel Manalang, Mian Datu-David; Naida D. Ebora, Nicanor Ines, and Alfred Umali.
Speaking about the facility’s capabilities and Earth-friendly design features, URC’s Lee shared, “URC Flour Sariaya is a testament to our unwavering dedication to innovation, quality and growth. With its enhanced technology, substantial capacity and focus on community development, the plant is poised to become a cornerstone of URC’s progress and a catalyst for positive change in the area.”
The URC Flour Sariaya plant is the latest addition to URC’s flour milling network, which includes its original facility in Pasig, which began operations in 1970, and another in Davao that opened in 1991. With this new plant, URC is well-positioned to meet the growing demand for flour and ensure the continued availability of affordable, high-quality food products for Filipino families.
For more information on URC, visit urc.com.ph
