San Miguel food facilities to operate 24/7 amid Metro Manila quarantine

Food facilities of the San Miguel Group -- which carries brands such as Magnolia, Monterey, and Purefoods -- would operate 24/7 amid a quarantine placed over Metro Manila.

In an emailed statement, San Miguel Food and Beverage Inc. (FB) said it would operate non-stop to ensure an adequate food supply during the month-long quarantine.

"This isn’t about making profits. We have a responsibility to make sure that food is made available to as many people as possible," Ramon Ang, President and CEO at FB, said.

"As far as food supply is concerned, we have the capability to produce enough for everybody and deliver to supermarkets," he emphasized.

Ang also served as president and chief operating officer of San Miguel Corp., the parent company of FB and holding company for other businesses of the group.

Its portfolio includes Petron Corp., power generation through Global Power Holdings Corp., and SMC Infrastructure.

"We will provide essential services such as food, water, power, petrol products and beverages to everyone," added Ang.

In the same statement, Ang said San Miguel would donate its own brand of disinfectant powder to local government units, as additional protection against COVID-19.

"We have the means and capability to produce this, and make it available for free to LGUs and public hospitals. We are working on getting the necessary clearances from the relevant government agencies, to produce this for public use. We ask that they help expedite clearances," he stated.

SMC, through its spirits subsidiary Ginebra San Miguel Inc., already started initial production of the alcohol over the weekend, initially for use in its facilities and employees.

"This is so our facilities and our own employees will not be taking away from the already limited supply that’s available to the public. Our main intention is to get this to our government and healthcare providers at the soonest possible time," said Ang. — DVM, GMA News