P.4-B tobacco processing plant up in Agoo

AGOO, La Union — The Universal Leaf Philippines Inc. (ULPI) inaugurated here yesterday a P400-million tobacco re-drying and processing plant, touted to be the biggest in Asia, that will cater to tobacco products from northern Philippines and abroad.

Winston Uy, ULPI president, told The STAR that the plant, equipped with computerized machines and modern technologies, is capable of processing at least nine tons of flue-cured tobacco in an hour.

Uy said two-thirds of their produce will be exported and the rest will be for local costumers and cigarette manufacturers.

Built on a 7,440-square meter lot in Barangay Sta. Rita Norte here, the plant, which has 250 workers, was completed with the help of eight engineers and six information system consultants from the United States and Thailand.

Atty. Carlitos Encarnacion, chief of the National Tobacco Administration, said the facility is one of the best tobacco re-drying and processing plants in Asia.

"This will increase our income because ULPI has a plan to process imported tobacco which will also be exported," he said.

Both Uy and Encarnacion said the plant would help thousands of tobacco farmers in the country.

"We will provide farmers with technical assistance, infrastructure, inputs, technology and management (skills)," Uy said.

For his part, Gov. Victor Ortega said, "You (ULPI) have not made a mistake in your investment here because we are a business-friendly province and our principal agricultural crop is tobacco."

Also gracing the plant’s inauguration were Universal Leaf of Asia regional director Barry Dillehay, ULPI chairman Hilarion Uy, Agoo Mayor Franny Eriguel, and San Fernando City councilor Pablo Ortega.