Universal Robina Corp. (URC) has inaugurated a P2.75-billion manufacturing complex in Malvar, Batangas, expanding its production capacity as the Filipino food company seeks to meet rising demand at home and strengthen its position in export markets.
The Mega Plant, inaugurated on July 31, represents one of URC’s major manufacturing investments as it marks its 70th anniversary and continues to build a larger regional footprint.
The project follows the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Board’s approval in 2025 of URC’s ecozone development and manufacturing projects. Once the ecozone is formally proclaimed and the facility becomes operational, the investment is expected to significantly increase production capacity, particularly for snack products.
The expansion also comes as manufacturers face mounting pressure to improve supply chains, shorten delivery times, and build capacity closer to major markets. For URC, the Batangas facility provides an opportunity to consolidate production while strengthening the company’s ability to serve both Philippine consumers and overseas markets.
The new plant is also expected to generate jobs for residents of Batangas and neighboring communities, adding a local economic dimension to an investment aimed primarily at expanding industrial capacity.
PEZA Director General Tereso O. Panga joined Malvar Mayor Ret. Admiral Artemio M. Abu, URC Chairman Lance Y. Gokongwei, President Irwin Lee, and other company and JG Summit Holdings Inc. officials at the inauguration.
“PEZA remains committed to supporting homegrown Filipino companies like URC as they continue to expand, innovate, and strengthen the Philippines’ position as a premier investment and manufacturing destination,” Panga said.
The facility is part of URC’s broader strategy to invest in production and supply chain capabilities as competition in the packaged food market intensifies. Its location in Batangas also places the plant within a major manufacturing and logistics corridor, giving the company access to ports, transport networks, and a large labor pool.
For URC, the investment underscores a shift from simply adding factory capacity to building a more integrated manufacturing base capable of supporting growth across markets. As the company enters its eighth decade, the Mega Plant represents a bet on scale, efficiency, and the continued global expansion of a distinctly Philippine food manufacturing business.
