Clarissa Viduya • Jun 27, 2023

Doing good to our farmers: A look at San Miguel’s direct corn-buying program and how it is helping our local farmers nationwide

Malasakit combined with pag-asa. The stories of struggle, risk, and uncertainties of over 122 corn farmers across the country had a 180-degree turn when the direct corn-buying program of San Miguel Foods was introduced to them. The continuing expansion of the company’s feed milling projects helped resuscitate the stalled economy, with SMF’s purchase of over 35,000 metric tons of corn from local growers this year. Corn is one of the key ingredients in animal feeds. 


It all started with the company’s objective to help the agricultural sector by directly purchasing from the local farmers themselves, while indirectly levelling the playing field between the traders and small-scale farmers. But the company had to do a lot of pre-work. The team, led by BPG Heads Charity Anne Chiong and Quito Blanco, together with PANB’s Agri-Development group conducted interviews and profiling studies to determine the various challenges in corn farming. Then they started reaching out and establishing partnerships with the farmers. 


One of the project’s big wins is that aside from San Miguel paying a fair amount to the growers versus the normal trader, we also directly deposit the payment to the farmers’ bank accounts within 2-3 days of delivery. This immediately compensates the growers’ costs in farming and helps them use the money for their personal expenses too. 

Through this program, there have been heartwarming stories about how the corn farmers were able to bounce back from the impact of the pandemic and huge debts from their financiers. These farmers are also no strangers to floods, droughts, and pests, so now that they are more liquid, they are better prepared for any crisis. Furthermore, some of them have even been able to purchase their own delivery trucks and additional equipment. With the improvement in their quality of life, these farmers have encouraged their families and other farmers to join the program and enjoy its long-term benefits. This issue features some of the inspiring stories of our partner corn growers. 


With the massive feed mill expansion program that San Miguel Foods is undergoing, we will be partnering with more and more corn farmers to supply us with local corn. Not only does this guarantee us a substantial and steady source of local corn, it also contributes to our sustainability efforts of supporting our local farmers and elevating their source of livelihood.

Testimonials from our corn farmers

Mula po noong kami ay nabigyan ng pagkakataon na magbenta ng aming produkto sa San Miguel kami po ay nagkaroon ng opportunity na magkaroon ng stable na pagdadalhan ng aming produkto at stable na presyo at kita. Nang dahil dito, hindi na po kami natatakot mag-ani o maglabas ng aming produkto anumang oras dahil alam po naming may sigurado kameng pagdadalhan. Hindi po katulad noon na kung saan-saan pa namin hahanapin ang aming buyer at walang kasiguraduhan na may magandang presyo at kung magiging maayos ang bayad sa amin dahil kadalasang ahente ang kausap namin. Minsan pa ay nakararanas kami ng pangloloko sa presyo at sa bayad. Sana po magtuloy-tuloy pa ang programa ninyo para sa aming mga farmers. Maraming salamat po.


Marjorie Gante 

Address: Brgy. Dammang West, Echague, Isabela 
Area Planted: 10 hectares of corn 
Corn farmer for eight years

Una po sa lahat nag papasalamat po ako sa Panginoon dahil ibinahagi niya sakin ang napakalaking tulong ng San Miguel Foods ng Echague. Noong wala pa po ako sa San Miguel hindi ko po alam kung saan po ako magbebenta dahil paiba-iba po ang presyo ng mais at ngayong bahagi na po ako ng San Miguel, nakita ko po ang diperensya at ang magandang tulong nito sa amin lalo na sa aking pamilya. Hindi lang po ako ang natutulungan pati narin po ang aking mga kapatid na farmers rin. Dahil kung ano po ang naibahagi sa akin ng San Miguel naibabahagi ko rin po sa iba. Huwag po sana kayo magsawang sumuporta at tumulong sa aming mga farmers lalo po ngayong mahirap ang buhay at napakamahal ng mga bilihin, ng mga binhi, at ng aming abono bilang isang farmer. Wala na po akong inaasahang pagbebentahan kundi ang San Miguel Foods lamang dahil alam ko po na ang San Miguel Foods lang ang may kakayahan na magbigay ng ganitong opportunity at magandang buhay sa aming mga farmers. 

Mario Cumlat

Address: Brgy. San Felipe, Echague, Isabela
Area Planted: 5 hectares of corn 
Corn farmer for 15 years 

Ako po ay dating OFW sa Saudi, nagsumikap makabili ng sarili lupa. Nang nakaipon, nagdesisyon akong umuwi at makasama na ang aking pamilya.

Noong 1996 ako nagsimula magtanim. Simula noon, naranasan ko na ang ibat-ibang suliranin sa pagsasaka, katulad ng madalas na pagbagyo, mga insekto sa pananim, kakulangan sa imbakan or storage, pagpapatuyuan ng mais, madalasang pagbabago ng teknolohiya sa pagtatanim, mataas na gastusin sa pananim, mahirap na daaanang farm to market roads, at ang hirap sa pakikipagtransaksyon sa mga buyers na madalas pang manipulahin ang presyo at timbang na kulang pa na pangpuhunan at kapital. Sa pag-asam ko na mapaunlad ang aking mga kagamitan sa pagsasaka nagkaroon ako ng mga utang na dahilan upang makontrol na ng aming pinagkakautangan o financier ang mga binebenta naming mais. Sa mababang halaga na lamang namin ito naibebenata at minsan pa kahit konting dumi lamang ay mas lalo pang binababaan ang presyuhan sa amin. 


Naging iba ang ihip ng hangin ng makausap ko at makilala ang isang tauhan ng B-MEG na nagpaliwanag sa akin ng programang ito. Hindi ako makapaniwala dahil bilang isang simpleng magsasaka hindi ko maisip na makakapagsupply ako sa pangarap kong kumpanya (SMC). Ako’y nagagalak dahil sa 25 years kong pagsasaka ay makakaranas na din ang aking pamilya ng kapanatagan at kaginhawaan.


Marami pong magandang naidulot sa aming mga farmers ang pakikipag-ugnayan at pakikipagtransaksyon sa San Miguel Foods/B-MEG. Una po rito ang kasiguraduhan ng presyo ng mais. Kampante po ako na hindi magkakaroon ng iregular o biglang pagbaba ng presyo ng aking mais. Pangalawa, ang maayos at tamang pagtitimbang at pagsusuri ng kalidad ng aming mga mais. Pangatlo po ang mabilis na transaksyon at pag-galaw ng aming mga mais.

At ang panghuli, bilang isang farmer dinanas naming madalas mabaon sa utang at mabigyan ng di makatarungang pagpresyo sa aming mga mais. Ngunit dahil sa B-MEG nagkaroon kami ng kapanatagan ng isip at motibasyon na ipagpatuloy ang pagtatanim.



Sana po ipagpatuloy ninyong suportahan ang maliliit na farmers katulad namin. Maraming salamat.

Samuel Lago

Address: Brgy. Dalenat, Angadanan, Isabela
Area planted: 7 hectares of corn
Corn farmer for 25 years

Ako po ay si Analyn Torre ng Brgy. Dalipe, Lemery, Iloilo. Ako po ay nagpasalamat sa San Miguel Corporation. Nang dahil sa inyong Direct Corn Buying Program nabigyan kami ng pagkakataon na makabenta ng aming mais diretso sa inyo at hindi na kailangang dumaan pa sa mga malalaking traders ng Iloilo City. Kami po ng asawa ko ay nag-umpisang pumasok sa pagtatanim ng mais 11 na taon nang nakalilipas at tumutulong rin kami sa mga maliliit na magsasaka sa pag-finance ng kanilang pagtatanim ng mais sa aming lugar.


Sa ngayon, umaasa kami na ipapagpatuloy ng kumpanya ang programang ito dahil nagbibigay ito ng malaking tulong sa mga katulad naming magmamais.


Maraming salamat po.

Analyn Torre 

Brgy. Dalipe, Lemery, Iloilo
Area planted: 200 hectares of corn 
Corn farmer and financier for 11 years 

Ako po ay si Emity B. Durog, bata pa lang namulat na kaming magkakapatid sa pagtatanim ng mais kasi isa ang papa ko sa mga sinaunang corn farmers dito sa lungsod ng Dangcagan, Bukidnon. Nung ako’y magka-asawa, nagstart kami sa pagtatanim ng sarili naming maisan. Marami pong magandang naidudulot sa buhay namin nang dumating ang San Miguel Foods Corn Direct Buying. Una po sa lahat, aside po sa kumikita kami, nakatulong din po kami sa mga kapwa naming corn farmers kasi po hindi na nila kailangan pumunta pa sa ibang bayan para doon pa ibenta ang kanilang mais. Marami pong mga magsasaka ang nakakausap namin ng personal talaga pong nakakataba nang puso yun. Higit sa lahat yung presyo namin sir direct na po sa San Miguel hindi na namin kailangang dumaan pa sa malalaking traders yun ang pinaka malaking tulong sa amin. Maraming, maraming salamat po San Miguel Corporation, sa pamunuan at buong San Miguel Foods, at kay Mr. Ramon Ang. God Bless your company! Keep up the goodwork po!

Emity B. Durog

Poblacion, Dangcagan, Bukidnon
Area planted: 20 hectares of corn 
20 years as a corn planter

Ang family po namin ay pagsasaka ang kabuhayan at ako ay nahasa sa pagtatanim ng mais. Kasama ko ang aking asawa sa pagsasaka ng mais, kamoteng kahoy, at palay. Sa ngayon ako lang po ang merong direct delivery ng mais sa San Miguel dito sa aming lugar na mula sa sarili naming tanim. Ganun din ang inaani ng aking mga kapatid, sa amin din pinagbibili. Maganda itong karanasan at oportunidad na nabigay sa amin ng San Miguel, lalo na isa kami sa maraming naka-avail sa programang ito ng direct corn delivery program. Dahil rito, nakabili po ako ng isang ten-wheeler hauling truck at nabawi ko po ang aking 2 ektaryang sakahan na naisangla ko noon. Nakatulong din po kami sa aming kapwa magsasaka kasi po hindi na nila kailangang pumunta pa sa bayan upang ibenta ang kanilang mais at nakatitipid pa sila sa pamasahe ng delivery. Maraming salamat po San Miguel dahil sa inyong programa, kaming mga magsasaka ng mais ay nakadama ng pagpapahalaga at wala pang kumpanya ang nakakagawa nito. Mabilis pa ang pagbayad sa loob ng 2-3 araw bayad na ang delivery ko. Sana po ipagpatuloy ninyo ang programang ito at marami pang magmamais ang makinabang. Sa kabutihang puso ng SMC President Ramon S. Ang. Sir saludo po kami sa inyo dahil isinama nyo po kami sa inyong programa na ngayon lang nangyari sa amin. Maraming salamat San Miguel, sa inyong programa nakasisiguro kami na masaya at magiging matagumpay ang aming pagsasaka. God Bless San Miguel. 

Violeta Develos

Brgy. Rizal, Banga, South Cotabato
Area planted: 25 hectares of corn 
15 years of planting corn 

San Miguel Foods, DOST-FNRI to fortify NutriBun with essential Nutrients for gov’t feeding programs nationwide

09 Apr, 2024
San Miguel Foods (SMF) and the Department of Science and Technology’s Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) have partnered to standardize the NutriBunformulation used in government feeding programs for underprivileged children to help address malnutrition and prevent stunting among vulnerable communities. The agreement, formalized through the signing of a memorandum of agreement, is seen to enhance the effectiveness of government efforts to improve child nutrition and health nationwide. The premixes will be used by DOST-FNRI’s nationwide network of “adaptors”--makers of enhanced NutriBuns distributed to children beneficiaries of the program. The program aims to ensure that sufficient, standardized nutritional values go into every NutriBun so all children get the full nutritional benefits intended. At the same time, it will also allow for cost-effectiveness for the program’s adaptors. 

San Miguel Foods expands Coral Rescue Program in Batangas as marine ecosystem flourishes

25 Jan, 2024
What was once a seemingly barren stretch of sand in 2022 is now a developing mini ecosystem teeming with color and marine life, thanks to San Miguel Foods’ Coral Rescue program.

Employees from the B-MEG Bataan and Iloilo Plants help safeguard local coastal environment through Mangrove reforestation project

16 Nov, 2023
Eighteen employees from B-MEG Plant Bataan and 43 employees from B-MEG Plant 1 Iloilo planted 1,200 mangrove propagules and 500 mangrove seedlings respectively as part of their efforts to help preserve and enrich the coastal environment of their respective provinces. Through the program, the teams aim to provide environmental and economic benefits to the residents of Barangay Bantan in Bataan and Barangay Gua-an in Ioilo. From an environmental perspective, mangroves act like a shield, minimizing the impact of storms and tidal waves, reducing soil erosion, and combating climate change by absorbing and storing carbon dioxide in their biomass and soil. These essential ecosystems also serve as nurseries for marine life, offering community members a sustainable source of livelihood.

PBBM leads inauguration of SMC's mega poultry farm, seen to boost PH food security

24 Oct, 2023
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. led the inauguration of San Miguel Foods' Magnolia Poultry Farm in Hagonoy, Davao del Sur- the country's largest poultry facility and the first of 12 mega farms the company will build across the country. The poultry farm, which can produce up to 80 million birds per year, equivalent to 200 million kilos live weight, is set to revolutionize poultry production in the Philippines ensuring a more stable and cost-competitive chicken supply. It will complement San Miguel Foods' existing nationwide contract growing program and provide additional livelihood and business opportunities for local farmers. It is a significant stride towards bolstering the country's food security. San Miguel Corporation (SMC) President and Chief Executive Officer Ramon S. Ang said: "Food security is one of the most important issues of our time. Today, we reinforce our support for the Marcos administration in ensuring a food-secure Philippines. Our goal is to provide every Filipino with access to high-quality food at prices within their means. Poultry, one of the most economical source of protein, is vital to achieving this."

San Miguel turns used B-MEG sacks into school chairs, donates to institutions in need

26 Jun, 2023
“Chairing is caring!” San Miguel Foods (SMF) turned over 150 school chairs made from used B-MEG sacks to the Marcos P. Saez Elementary School in Davao del Sur. The donation is part of SMF’s initiative to upcycle 65 metric tons of used plastic sacks generated by the company’s feed mills in Mindanao into 325 school chairs. It is also a testament to the company’s long-standing commitment to sustainability. For the company, malasakit for the environment and for fellow Filipinos means taking only what it needs, repurposing and replenishing what it has taken and, in the process, helping to uplift the lives of people. SMF will donate the remaining 175 school chairs to Hagonoy Elementary in Hagonoy, Davao del Sur, a future host community of SMF. The success of this initial engagement can pave the way for the SMF to scale the initiative nationwide. To produce the upcycled chairs, SMF partnered with Envirotech Waste Recycling Inc. (EWRI), a local company known for helping corporations upcycle plastic waste through its innovative technology. EWRI sorts, shreds, melts, and molds used plastic in its recycling plant to create sturdy, durable, and comfortable chairs with arm desks.

San Miguel Foods donates laptops to grade school students in Davao del Sur

25 Jun, 2023
Recognizing the need to augment the public school students’ learning gadgets, San Miguel Foods, in collaboration with San Miguel Foundation, provided 15 laptops to Hagonoy Elementary School (HAGES) students at the start of the school year. HAGES is located in the Municipality of Hagonoy in Davao del Sur, the future site of SMF’s poultry complex project. With the hybrid set-up today, laptops are a critical tool in making sure the students are not left behind in their lessons. “Your donation is very timely as we are focusing our efforts now on developing the reading capabilities of our learners using modern technology like laptops, especially after the pandemic,” said HAGES Principal Mayrefel Padillon. “It is also a big help in our "Recovery Intervention to Sustain Education" campaign and Brigada Pagbasa Project. This will go a long way to help our learners.” Present during the turnover ceremony were the faculty and staff of Hagonoy Elementary School and some parents. Randy Dominguez, External Relations Associate of San Miguel Foods, delivered the key message, reiterating that education is a primary concern of San Miguel. “We are here to assist our partner schools achieve their goal of producing quality learners,” Dominguez said. Three years ago, the company also gave tablets to over 100 students in different San Miguel Foods locations in the Visayas and Mindanao given the realization that digital tools are crucial in enabling students to learn more engagingly. These donations form part of SMF’s flagship CSR program, Handog, under the Karunungan pillar. This year’s Handog will continue to focus on the 5Ks, namely Kalusugan - preventing malnutrition among children through the “First 1,000 days” program; Kabuhayan - providing alternative livelihood opportunities to communities where we operate; Kalikasan - propagating corals in Anilao, Batangas to further cultivate its rich marine biodiversity; Komunidad - developing community farms as an answer to food security, and Karunungan - developing young agri-entrepreneurs through the School for Experiential and Entrepreneurial Development (SEED).

San Miguel Foods breaks ground for mega poultry plant in Davao to bolster food security

24 Jun, 2023
San Miguel Foods recently broke ground on its Davao Multi-Tier Broiler Farm, the first of 15 poultry mega plants the company is building in the next 10 years to ensure the sufficient supply of chicken and bolster food security in the country. Located in Hagonoy, Davao City, the complex will eventually house 28 world class climate-controlled farm houses that will produce 80 million birds a year to serve the whole of Mindanao. Total land to be developed is 921 hectares. “Today, we are not just breaking ground but also marking another milestone in the food industry,” said San Miguel Foods President Butch Alejo in his message during the ceremony. “What we are bringing to the table is not just a significant amount of chicken that our consumers can enjoy, but also the assurance of food security to every Filipino.” The broiler farm will have multi-tier cages that will allow more growing cycles per year and better efficiencies and practices, including an integrated sanitation management program to eliminate flies and neutralize odor. The establishment of the facility demonstrates San Miguel’s commitment to help achieve equitable development in the region. Aside from providing more than 1,000 jobs to the Davaoeños, micro-enterprise programs will open for farmers, their families, and communities nearby. This will spur not just socio-economic growth of the entire municipality but also provide hope for the families nearby, who, with the substantial opportunities given them, can gain more access to technology, education, and sustainability. Mindanao is considered the country's food basket, producing 40% of the country's food needs and contributing more than 30% to national food trade, with one-third of its land area devoted to agriculture. Within the next five years, San Miguel Foods will begin work on the four other priority mega plants in Sison, Pangasinan, Lucanin, Bataan, and Sariaya and Pagbilao in Quezon. In 10 years, these four mega plants combined with the Hagonoy complex will be able to produce 400 million birds a year, with each bird targeted to weigh 2.5kg.

Prime Group awards Halal certifications to Purefoods products

23 Jun, 2023
The Purefoods-Hormel Company, Inc. (PHC), received certifications from Prime Certification and Inspection Asia Pacific for the export of San Miguel Purefoods Tender Juicy Chicken Franks and San Miguel Purefoods Corned Beef to the United Arab Emirates. These products can now be enjoyed by Filipinos in the UAE. Prime awarded the company with four certifications, reflecting Purefoods’ compliance with the UAE Halal standard, the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), the PNS, and the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF). A HACCP certification means that our company’s food safety procedures are compliant with an internationally-recognized system. Assistant Vice President and Exports Manager, Carl Constantino said, “A lot of time, effort, and resources were poured into acquiring these certifications so that our kababayans in the Middle East can experience their favorite Purefoods products.” During the awarding ceremony, Prime CEO, Dr. Mary Jane Alvero, said they were very happy with this achievement. “We appreciate the commitment that the technical group of Purefoods-Hormel showed,” said Alvero. “Your food management system is really at par with international standards.” Also present in the event were San Miguel Foods SVP for Corporate Affairs, and Head of the Halal Management team, Tatish Palabyab, and members of Product Development, Quality Assurance, Tolling, Regulatory and Nutrition Compliance, and Corporate Communication. Vice President and General Manager of Purefoods-Hormel, Jogee Cruz, emphasized that the mark of trust and quality in Purefoods products is always a top priority of the company, and these certificates are a testament to this commitment. “Let us continue working together to acquire international certifications for our products so that we are able to bring them closer to Filipinos around the world,” said Cruz.

SMC to partner with more LGUs, socio-civic groups as it expands nationwide program to help disinfect public spaces

07 Nov, 2022
San Miguel Corporation (SMC) food unit San Miguel Foods is expanding its program to help disinfect public spaces nationwide as part of a continuing effort to reduce the risk and spread of COVID-19 amid the further easing of pandemic restrictions. The program, to date, has benefited 100 barangays and has been regularly sanitizing public facilities in high-traffic areas around the country. These include public markets, barangay centers, farms and other community hubs. SMC president Ramon S. Ang said that for several months now, its Food business’ Animal Health Care team has been going around the country to conduct disinfection of places and areas frequented by the public, as well as streets and households, for free. 

Looking for a taste of nostalgia or new treats? Magnolia Gold Label has you covered

22 Jul, 2022
For those who grew up in the 70s and 80s, a trip to the Magnolia Ice Cream House on Aurora Boulevard in Quezon City was a treat to look forward to. Life’s major milestones were celebrated there - a birthday, graduation, first date, a family reunion or even just a weekend outing. The rich, sweet, fruity flavors of banana splits, parfaits, and cobblers, combined with the warm and wholesome atmosphere, make up many unforgettable memories. Fast forward to the present, and with the summer heat and rainy season humidity causing discomfort and unease, ice cream has become a welcome indulgence, and source of comfort. That there are now multitudes of brands and flavors, all easily accessible via delivery services, shows that ice cream continues to be a favorite treat of Filipinos, regardless of age. Yet, decades since the original ice cream house closed, Magnolia Ice Cream remains an enduring, well-loved name, with its rich, solid heritage that extends all the way back to 1899, when an American cook in the United States army, is said to have first introduced the brand to local customers.
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