The Universal Robina Corporation (URC) has officially inaugurated a P5.4 billion flour milling plant in Sariaya, Quezon, marking a significant step in enhancing the country’s food security and agricultural infrastructure. The state-of-the-art facility in Barangay Talaan-Aplaya spans 10 hectares and is the third of its kind for the food manufacturing division of the Gokongwei Group.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) hailed the new facility’s potential to strengthen the nation’s food supply, with DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. emphasizing its importance in ensuring a steady, high-quality supply of flour—a key ingredient in staples such as bread, pasta, cereals, and crackers.
“Flour is integral to our economy, from family dining tables to large-scale food production,” Tiu Laurel said in a statement issued by the DA.
Scheduled to begin commercial operations in January 2025, the plant is expected to produce 297,000 metric tons (MT) of flour and 99,000 MT of bran and pollard annually. The facility also boasts advanced, fully automated milling technology, streamlining production, storage, and packaging processes for increased efficiency.
In addition to bolstering food security, the plant is set to directly employ 102 workers and contribute to the overall productivity of the agricultural value chain. Tiu Laurel also highlighted URC’s ongoing commitment to innovation and efficiency, underscoring the facility’s role in supporting the country’s agricultural growth.
