Multibillion-peso beer plant to rise in Iloilo

Beer giant San Miguel Brewery, Inc. (SMB) is spending billions of pesos to build its new facility in the province of Iloilo.

Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. said SMB, a subsidiary of conglomerate San Miguel Corporation (SMC), initially alloted P5 billion for its beer brewery and bottling plant in the town of Leganes.

The plant is set for groundbreaking on September 20 this year, according to Defensor.

The governor, Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Trenas and Ramon S. Ang, SMC president and chief operating officer, had a meeting last week.

“The meeting was facilitated by Senator Franklin Drilon,” Defensor said.

The plant, which is part of SMC’s expansion program, is expected to largely contribute to the province’s economy.

Defensor said aside from tax payments, the project would also generate employment.

In a report by Forbes Asia, Ang said their “target is to put up 10 new breweries with an initial capacity of 2 million hectoliters each.”

SMB is the maker of San Miguel Pale Pilsen and Red Horse, among others.IMT