SMC Launches PHL's First Complete Biodiversity Offset Site and Mega Poultry Farm

San Miguel Aerocity, Inc. (SMAI), a subsidiary of San Miguel Corporation (SMC), has inaugurated its Saribuhay sa Dampalit project in Barangay Pamarawan, Malolos, Bulacan. This pioneering initiative marks the launch of the Philippines’ first Biodiversity Offset Program (BOP) — part of the company's nature-based solutions to building its New Manila International Airport project (NMAI) in Bulacan. The project aims to balance development efforts with environmental preservation, support local livelihoods and address flooding issues in Bulacan's flood-prone areas.

Environmental Impact and Biodiversity Preservation

The pilot BOP site in Pamarawan covers 40 hectares with plans to expand to 800 hectares of offset sites across various areas. Adhering to the International Finance Corporation (IFC) environment and social standards, the project has provided a rich feeding ground to the visiting migratory birds which has been in record number this time. Secretary Yulo-Loyzaga noted that this was the first and the largest scale biodiversity offset project in the country, emphasizing the importance of protecting biodiversity for future generations.

SMAI's efforts include a range of scientifically grounded measures to ensure the newly created habitats meet the specific needs of the wildlife they aim to protect. More importantly, the BOP project has engaged local residents affected by the NMIA project, providing employment and raising awareness about the importance of preserving migratory shorebirds.

Agricultural Modernization and Food Security

Alongside its environmental initiatives, SMC is advancing agricultural modernization. San Miguel Corporation president and chief executive officer Ramon S. Ang assured small farmers and market enterprises that the mega poultry farm in Hagonoy, Davao del Sur, will not compete with small chicken farmers and wet market stalls. The project in Hagonoy has partnered with the farmers’ cooperative in the area, involving 900 families from the ECJ Davao Farms Agrarian Reform Multipurpose Cooperative.

The facility is expected to produce 80 million heads of chicken a year, equivalent to 200 million kilos in live weight. The SMC CEO said that investment such as the world-class poultry farm will help reinvigorate local agriculture as it will lessen the country’s dependence on food imports. President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr., who visited the inauguration, emphasized the importance of agricultural modernization with the help of the private sector.

Project Comparison and Data Overview

Technological Features of the Poultry Facility

The facility is equipped with sophisticated systems to ensure efficiency and biosecurity, including:

• Controlled climate technology and air quality monitoring.
• Automated feeding and watering systems.
• Efficient waste management and automated harvesting systems.
• Strict biosecurity measures.