GENERAL TRIAS, CAVITE–On 22 September 2023, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., together with Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Fred Pascual, welcomed the opening of Unilever’s New Beauty, Wellbeing, and Personal Care (BWPC) Manufacturing facility. The DTI Chief emphasized that Unilever Philippines Inc.’s establishment of a high-technology and sustainability-driven manufacturing facility will highly contribute to the country’s investment campaign “Make It Happen in the Philippines.” 

Secretary Pascual said, “The Unilever BWPC manufacturing hub significantly contributes to the DTI’s efforts to highlight the Philippines’ extensive strength and enabling capacities as a regional hub for smart and sustainable manufacturing and services industries. As the whole of government pursues a science, technology, and innovation (STI) driven approach, your investments are a realization of our collective vision to transform the country’s domestic and export markets.” 

The new BWPC manufacturing facility is the culmination of one of the investment pledges from President Marcos Jr.’s visit to Belgium last December 2022. The company’s multibillion-peso investment is in line with its commitment of expanding its footprint in the country as it aims to automate and digitalize its operations locally.  

Unilever Philippines is one of the top 10 markets of Unilever globally pioneering in technology, including green initiatives. The project applied under the Board of Investments (BOI) registration amounting to PHP4.7 billion. Their manufacturing is expected to generate at least 114 new jobs in the city.    

Additionally,, the company’s business activities and focus are aligned with the administration’s socio-economic agenda, particularly the (1) protection of the purchasing power of families by ensuring food security; (2) reduction of vulnerability and mitigation of the COVID-19 pandemic by tackling health-related concerns; (3) creation of more jobs by promoting investments; (4) creation of high-quality and better-paying jobs by increasing capacity-building programs and enhancing the digital economy, and (5) creation of green jobs by pursuing a green and blue economy and establishing livable and sustainable communities. 

Meanwhile, DTI Secretary Pascual commended the company’s commitment to operate its business in a socially responsible way, contributing to the betterment of the living and working standards for the Filipinos. According to the trade and industry chief, their expansion emphasizes their trust and confidence to the young, dynamic and tech-savvy Filipino workforce.  

He said, “The government will remain supportive to Unilever’s expansion and sustainability plans. Through your investments, I am confident that we can send a message to the world that the Philippines is open for investments and there’s no better time to invest than now.” ♦

Date of release: 23 September 2023

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