SMC eyes new industrial site in Bataan

ORION, Bataan– The San Miguel Corporation (SMC), the country’s largest food conglomerate, is eyeing some 100 hectares of land in the coastal village of Puting Buhangin, this town, to be converted into a progressive industrial site.

Mayor Antonio L. Raymundo,Jr. explained to mediamen that  the proposed industrial location is purposely for the grains and commodities and food processing plant  expansion thrust of the company.

The SMC corporate technical staff are undertaking inclusive assessment and evaluation of the probable site preferably adjacent to the firm‘s 20-hectare estate of former Pulong Bato Resort , bought by the company more than 10 years ago.

Raymundo said a top-notch member of the SMC Board of Directors,Tomas Tan, has discussed the plans and programs with the local authorities about the town’s comprehensive land use policy and other aspects of the newly-amended zoning ordinance.

He cited Director Tan, one of the trusted men of SMC president, Ramon Ang, is confident that the development of the coastal area of Orion, about 30 nautical miles from Metro Manila, would be more economically beneficial and  cost-effective measures in terms of transport and maintenance operation.

The latest plan will augment SMC position as the country’s biggest corporation with interests in food, beverage, infrastructure, packaging, beer, oil refinery and power, Raymundo said.

At present, SMC has a -14 hectare facility with a 217-meter long pier at the Authority of Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) that can accommodate cargo ships up to 70,000 deadweight tons.

This facility can discharge cargo at 10,000 metric tons per day and store 180,000metric tons of both soybean and grain cargoes.