Biggest poultry dressing plant starts construction

ALBUERA, Leyte, Philippines – Construction of the region’s biggest poultry dressing plant, and a “zero waste” one at that, has started after a groundbreaking ceremony was held on the site where it would rise at Brgy. Antipolo last week.

San Miguel Foods Inc. (SMFI) technical service manager Vic R. Antonio was present, and gave the guests an overview of the plant’s operations and its economic contribution once the plant becomes operational in October 2015.

Antonio said that because of the plant’s dressing capacity, they welcome more applicants for contract growing.

Present to help Antonio in the laying of the capsule and groundbreaking were Palompon Mayor Ramon and Lourdes Oñate of DBSN Farms Agriventures Corp., assisted by Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez of the 4th district of Leyte, Leyte provincial administrator Vincent Emnas representing Gov. Dominic Petilla, board member Mesias Arevalo, DOLE regional director Elias Cayanong, EMB regional director Letecia Maceda, NMIS regional director Orlando Ongsotto, Landbank manager Eulalio Lagapa, Mayor Ramon dela Cerna Jr and other town officials, and barangay chairman Eduardo Jaballa and council.

Oñate, president and CEO of DBSN Farms Agriventures Corp., said  the plant has the capacity to dress 40,000 chickens a day. There is still room for more growers, he said, as their study shows that poultry farms in Leyte produce 27,000 heads of chicken a day at their peak.

Onate said this not only opens up opportunities for contract growing, but also means more employment.

The plant itself, he said, would employ about 200 people. He also assured locals that it was a “zero waste” plant and eco-friendly. Feathers and waste generated from its operations would not just be thrown away, but converted into pellets, ready for delivery to another SMFI plant that would make it into an ingredient for aqua feeds.

Oñate  thanked his wife, Lourdes, for supporting him in his endeavors. He also thanked the Landbank for giving him the opportunity to put up the plant, the SMFI for trusting him to be their partner in Leyte, the provincial and town officials for their all-out support to make the plant happen, including giving him tax incentives.

Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez, on the other hand, lauded those present for helping the DBSN and SMFI put up the plant and opening doors of opportunities to people in Leyte who are still reeling from Super Typhoon Yolanda.

She lauded the Oñates for taking a leap of faith to expand their business ventures. She said that just as the mayor is successful in politics, she is sure he would be successful in his dressing plant venture.