Sardines manufacturer Mega Global Corp. is investing in a P1 billion manufacturing plant in Batangas to meet a spike in demand for canned goods.

The company set a February 2022 target for full operations of the Santo Tomas, Batangas facility, which will create 1,000 jobs, Mega Global said in a press release on Friday.

The company’s production capacity is expected to increase by up to 50% from the current 300 metric tons per year in its Zamboanga-based operations. The facility’s sardines line is set to be completed by August 2021.

The plant will have a zero-waste fish meal facility, cold storage, and a warehouse.

Mega Global is also working on securing international certifications for the facility in order to allow it to export to Europe and the Middle East.

“We are very grateful for the opportunity to invest more in our expansion and diversification plans in 2020 and to help drive economic growth in the coming years,” Mega Global’s President and Chief Executive Officer William Tiu-Lim said.

“This plant will also allow us to support local businesses as we plan to source our raw materials and manpower from suppliers within Luzon as part of DTI’s Buy Local, Go Lokal initiative.”

Mega Global also announced its corporate social responsibility program that aims to serve meals to 100,000 poor Filipino families by year end. Donations can be made through the Tiu Lim Foundation or through online platforms. – Jenina P. Ibañez