San Miguel to turn part of Ortigas compound into urban farm

Diversified conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC) is set to convert a portion of its head office complex in Ortigas into its first urban farm which it said would support its staff.

Under the "Malasakit Grade" program,  employees and workers doing support jobs would be given a plot of land to be used as a space to grow produce of their choice.

They may opt to bring home the harvest or sell these for a profit at a small market stall that will be set up at the complex.

"In this time of pandemic, many Filipinos are looking for ways to earn extra income, or at the very least, make sure they have sufficient supply of food," SMC president Ramon Ang said in a statement.

"The land is available and good for planting. It doesn't take so much to try and help people, especially those who help us do our work everyday," added Ang, who himself tested positive for COVID-19 thrice.

The company partnered with non-profit SEED Philippines to teach the support staff the basics of urban farming such as organic vegetable production, soil management, planting materials production, and pest and disease management.

SMC has businesses in food and beverage, fuel and oil, energy, infrastructure, and real estate industries. Its product portfolio includes beer; spirits; non-alcoholic beverages; poultry; animal feeds; flour; fresh and processed meats; dairy products; coffee; various packaging products; and a range of petroleum products.

Its subsidiaries include Ginebra San Miguel Inc., San Miguel Food and Beverage Inc., SMC Global Power Holdings Corp., SEA Refinery Corporation, San Miguel Holdings Corp., and San Miguel Properties Inc.

Shares in SMC closed Monday at P128.00 apiece, up by P2.30 or 1.83% from last Friday's finish of P125.70 apiece.  -NB, GMA News