Marcos visits PH’s largest greenhouse facility

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday morning visited the country’s largest greenhouse facility in San Rafael, Bulacan.

He was accompanied by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC) chairman Manuel Pangilinan, and others.

The Metro Pacific Fresh Farms (MPFF) is a joint venture between Metro Pacific Agro Ventures (MPAV) — a subsidiary of the MPIC — and Israel-based LR Group, inaugurated its 3.5-hectare greenhouse facility in March.

It is expected to produce up to 500 metric tons of fresh produce annually, including 60,000 heads of lettuce per month (144 MT per year).

Developed with LR Group’s state-of-the-art technology, the greenhouse also uses 90% less water and land while yielding five times more produce than traditional farms.

“MPFF’s initiative addresses supply instability and high input costs, providing a reliable source of produce for businesses and consumers,” Malacañang said.

“The new brand ‘More Veggies Please’ aims to deliver fresh, nutritious vegetables initially in Metro Manila, with plans for nationwide expansion,” it added.

The MPFF seeks to expand the greenhouse by the second half of 2026.

Marcos also toured and inspected the National Food Authority warehouse in San Ildefonso. Marcos sat down with workers in the area during the visit.

“Pararamihin pa natin, kailangan pa natin, makakatulong sa inyo, pararamihin pa natin mga equipment,” Marcos said.

(We will increase them, we still need more, these will help you, we will add more equipment.)

The President said the government is also looking into increasing the earnings of cooperatives through the transportation of products.

“So pagka inyo na ‘yun, pagka cooperative ang may-ari ng truck, ‘yung cooperative na may-ari ng ano, ng equipment, hindi ninyo pagkakitaan 'yung milling, hindi ninyo pagkakitaan. Pagkakitaan ninyo 'yung pang-benta ninyo ng bigas ‘yun, at maiiwan sa inyong lahat ng kita,” he said.

(So once it’s yours, if the cooperative owns the truck, you won’t be making money from the milling, not from that. You’ll earn from selling the rice, and all the profit will go to you.)

“‘Yun ang aming tinatrabaho ngayon para maiiwan ang tinatawag na value added sa inyo, hindi sa trader,” he added.

(That’s what we’re working on now to ensure that the so-called value added stays with you, not with the trader.) —Joahna Lei Casilao/AOL, GMA Integrated News