What is possible abroad can also materialize in the Philippines as far as food security is concerned.

This was President Marcos' remark when he led the inauguration of the San Miguel Corporation's world-class controlled-climate poultry megafarm in Hagonoy, Davao del Sur on Thursday, Oct. 12.

Marcos underscored that establishing such facility is the vision the country must have and show investors it is doable.

"I came here so that we could highlight to other investors around the country and even internationally that there is a way to do this," he said.

"We have to also explain to our people. We also have to show them that this is the way forward. This is the way of the future," he added.

The President stressed that putting up megafarms that are expected to produce up to 80 million chickens annually to address the increasing demand for poultry products could also be done in the country.

"Iyong sasabihin natin masyadong mahirap ‘yan. Doon lang sa abroad ‘yan, yung mga malalaking lugar (We say that is difficult. It can only be done abroad, in big places)," Marcos said.

"And this goes to show that that’s not necessarily the case. We can definitely do anything that they do abroad, anything that we can see that are advantageous to the food supply. We can adopt here and adjust it to the Philippine conditions," Marcos pointed out.

He further said that the people must realize that "this is the way forward" and "we can no longer depend on the informal production of food in the way that we have depended on for very, very long time."

Marcos also expects that the facility would provide jobs to more than 1,000 Filipinos and generate multiple opportunities for small businesses and farmers.

The Chief Executive oined San Miguel Corp. President Ramon Ang in inaugurating the facility in Hagonoy, which is one of the 12 planned poultry megafarm projects around the country.

A project by San Miguel Foods, Inc. (SMFI), the megafarm anticipates the production of 80 million birds or about 200 million kilos in live weight per farm to be harvested annually.

The farm features environmental controls, biosecurity measures, modernized feeding and watering systems, efficient waste management, and a modern farm layout and house design, among others. These enhancements ensure optimal conditions for poultry rearing, resulting in high-quality and safe products.

It will also implement the Antimicrobial Policy, aiming for a 100 percent antibiotic-free operation, except when necessary for disease treatments.

The farms prioritize local sourcing, utilizing raw materials from nearby producers and businesses for feed production and value-added processes.

The farms also implement rainwater harvesting systems to minimize groundwater extraction, while incorporating solar power energy to lessen fuel consumption.

According to Malacañang, SMFI’s poultry megafarm projects are aligned with the government's 2022 Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP) List of Priority Projects, specifically under the Tier 2, No. 5 Food Security-Related Activities, as these projects aim to provide long-term security and sustainability of the domestic poultry supply in the country.