Growing MORE with Less: Metro Pacific Fresh Farms, the Biggest Greenhouse in the Philippines Opens and Revolutionizes Local Farming Practices

 The agri-food unit of Pangilinan-led Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC), Metro Pacific Agro Ventures, is redefining how vegetables are grown, distributed, and consumed in the Philippines with its largest vegetable greenhouse facility in the country now initiating operations.

From Left: Bimsy Mapa, Chief Project Officer, Metro Pacific Agro Ventures, Toby Gatchalian, Chief Commercial Officer,Metro Pacific Agro Ventures, Ilan Weiss, Chairman and Executive Director of Innovative Agriculture Industry Private Limited, Jovy Hernandez, President and CEO, Metro Pacific Agro Ventures, Manny V. Pangilinan, Chairman, President and CEO of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, H.E. Ambassador Ilan Fluss, Israel Ambassador, Chaye Cabal - Revilla, Metro Pacific Investments Corp. Executive Vice President, Chief Finance, Risk, and Sustainability Officer , Stanley Yang Executive Director Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, Mayor Cholo Violago, Mayor San Rafael, Bulacan and Reggie Gripal, Chief Finance Officer,Metro Pacific Agro Ventures

In its first phase of 3.5 hectares worth of greenhouses,  Metro Pacific Fresh Farms (MPFF), located in San Rafael, Bulacan, is expected to produce up to 500 metric tons of fresh produce annually. In more exact terms, this means producing around 60,000 lettuce heads per month, 144 metric tons per year of just leafy greens alone. With yields up to five times higher than traditional farms, MPFF ensures a stable, year-round supply—addressing key challenges in the country’s agricultural sector.

“The vision behind these investments is an agriculturally independent Philippines,” says MPIC Chairman, President, and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan. “We want to help build a nation that’s capable of feeding all of its people.”  

According to Jovy Hernandez, President and CEO of Metro Pacific Agro Ventures, the Philippines faces significant agricultural challenges, such as supply instability and a limited availability of good quality vegetables.

“While 47% of the country’s land is agricultural, issues like low output, high input costs, lack of post-harvest facilities, and outdated irrigation systems hinder production. Metro Pacific Fresh Farms offers a solution by providing reliable supply of high quality  fresh produce for all Filipinos, but especially for businesses and retailers that require consistent, high-quality sourcing,“ Hernandez explains. 

Tech-Driven Farming for Stability, Quality, and Sustainability

The greenhouse facility of MPFF is equipped with state-of-the-art technology developed by the LR Group, a leading Israeli agribusiness company, designed to transform local vegetable farming in the Philippines. With a proven track record in sustainable food production in Israel’s desert climate, LR Group utilizes modern techniques such as nutrient film technique for leafy greens and drip irrigation systems for other vegetable types which allows for a more efficient way of growing produce at a fraction of the resources normally required in conventional agriculture. 

This allows high-quality vegetables to be grown using 90% less water and land, yet producing five times the yield of traditional farms. With minimal environmental impact and with massive growth in vegetable production, MPFF is creating a more sustainable food system for the Philippines. 

By operating in a controlled environment, the MPFF significantly reduces the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers, cutting exposure to contaminants by 90-99%. “This not only ensures a safer, healthier choice for consumers but also guarantees that we are able to provide consistent quality year-round especially for business and other institutions that struggle with inconsistent supply quality,” adds Hernandez.

MPFF’s ability to produce vegetables at a consistent volume also helps stabilize pricing through basic supply and demand economics, ensuring businesses and consumers are protected from unexpected inflation.

For large-scale clients, such as hypermarkets, hotels, restaurants, and food processors, MPFF is able to provide premium, sustainably grown produce with a diverse vegetable portfolio. This includes rare and high-value varieties of vegetables that are traditionally difficult to cultivate in the Philippines. Additionally, businesses can partner with MPFF in customizing their supply based on demand trends and customer preferences, giving them greater flexibility in sourcing. 

Through these strategic partnerships, MPFF aims to make these vegetables more widely accessible, helping bridge the gap in affordability and availability for Filipino families. 

More Veggies Please: A New Standard in Vegetable Farming

With the launch of MPFF’s newest vegetable brand, More Veggies Please, Filipinos no longer have to settle for low-quality vegetables. By making more nutritious, high-quality produce more accessible to Filipino businesses and households, MPFF is also poised to address the country’s relatively low vegetable consumption compared to regional peers. 

The fresh produce of More Veggies Please is grown in the country’s largest greenhouse facility, Metro Pacific Fresh Farms (MPFF).  Metro Pacific Fresh Farms, a project of the Manuel V. Pangilinan-led Metro Pacific Investments Corp. through Metro Pacific  Agro Ventures in partnership with Israel’s LR Group, brings a modern, technology-driven approach to farming.

Because of this, the various vegetables from More Veggies Please are guaranteed to have more consistent quality, consistent physical and nutritional profile because of the controlled environment they are grown in. With advanced greenhouse technology ensuring stable growing conditions year-round, these vegetables retain their quality, freshness, leaf volume and nutrient density. With More Veggies Please, Metro Pacific Fresh Farms is not just growing vegetables—it is growing a healthier, more sustainable future for the Philippines.

More Veggies Please will be available in Metro Manila, with plans to expand partnerships in the coming months in other regions. Channels will include supermarkets, hospitals, hotels, and other F&B establishments.