P&G picks RP as reg’l base for baby diapers

The Philippines has beaten Thailand and China in attracting the P360-million baby diaper production project of American consumer products giant Procter & Gamble (P&G).

The Board of Investments (BOI) approved last Tuesday, on a non-pioneer status, the application for registration of the P360- million baby diaper production of Procter & Gamble at the Light Industrial and Science Park in Cabuyao, Laguna.

P & G had actually sought a pioneer registration status. However, the BOI initially approved the non-pioneer status subject to upgrade once P & G secures the consent of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) that the manufacturing process to be used by P & G in its new plant in Cabuyao uses an entirely new technology in the manufacture of baby diapers.

The entire baby diaper production of the P & G plant in Cabuyao is intended for export to China.

P & G decided to choose the Philippines as the manufacturing base of its baby diapers due to the Philippines "technical expertise."

P & G manufactures the baby diaper brand Pampers.

P & G had pledged in May last year P1.5 billion in additional investments in the Philippines over a three-year period.

According to Alan Lafley, P&G president and chief executive officer, the additional investment covers the company’s planned expansion projects and the addition of services in areas like accounting and business information.