Milestone in workplace safety. Prioritizing workplace safety and health, Aboitiz Foods’ Tarlac and Iligan operational facilities achieved over 6 million safe man-hours, underscoring a mature safety culture built on sustained vigilance and shared accountability.

Long before products and services reach customers, the work begins with people behind them.

Behind every product delivered and every operation running smoothly are the teams who show up each day to keep the business moving and communities nourished. That is why, across its operations, Aboitiz Foods continues to foster a culture in which health and safety are woven into everyday decisions, behaviors, and ways of working.

In the Philippines, Aboitiz Foods’ strong safety performance at its Tarlac and Iligan feed mill operations reflects this commitment. As of May 2026, Tarlac recorded nearly 4.5 million safe man-hours spanning more than 1,000 days, while Iligan achieved more than 1.6 million safe man-hours over 251 days. These milestones represent the cumulative hours worked by employees and contractor partners without lost-time injuries or medical treatment cases. 

Tarlac’s achievement alone marks a significant leap from its previous safe man-hour milestone.

“Compared to our previous historical milestone of 2 million safe man-hours, this current achievement represents a 125% increase, demonstrating a highly effective and maturing safety culture among our workforce,” said Brian Funte, Safety & Environment Supervisor in Tarlac.

Aside from these strong performance indicators, both sites also maintained 100% regulatory compliance with the standards set by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Bureau of Fire Protection, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

In Iligan, DOLE Region X recognized Aboitiz Foods’ subsidiary, Pilmico Foods Corporation, with a Gold Award for Outstanding Occupational Safety and Health Performance under the Safety Milestone Recognition Program.

“This achievement was made possible through the collective effort of our employees, contractors, and management, along with the higher level of safety awareness developed through learning from past incidents,” said Kirk Gozo, Safety, Health & Environment Manager in Iligan.Achieving such milestones also reflects years of cultivating a workplace grounded in shared accountability across operations—demonstrating how safety has evolved beyond a compliance requirement to become an integral part of how Aboitiz Foods works, learns, and grows.

Beyond compliance, toward culture

For Aboitiz Foods, safety is more than just metrics. It helps build the company’s operational resilience and drive business continuity.

“A strong safety culture helps prevent disruptions, strengthens operational resilience, and supports sustainable growth by safeguarding our most valuable asset—our people,” remarked Funte.

While compliance remains a critical benchmark, Aboitiz Foods recognizes that lasting workplace safety requires more than policies and inspections; it requires building an environment where everyone—from frontline teams to leaders, contractors, and partners—actively identifies risks, reports hazards, and takes ownership.

This mindset is demonstrated in the company’s growing focus on proactive safety observations, behavior-based safety (BBS) practices, and leadership’s on-the-ground visibility. In Iligan, QR-code-enabled reporting tools make it easier for frontline workers to report unsafe conditions in real time, while in Tarlac, the BBS program continues to reinforce hazard reporting and safety coaching. 

These efforts are reinforced through continuous learning and engagement. In observance of the World Day for Safety and Health at Work, Aboitiz Foods organized heat-stress awareness sessions, emergency drills, machine-safety refreshers, leadership-led safety walks, and scenario-based learning activities across its feed mill operations—helping translate safety principles into everyday habits and actions.

“Beyond the numbers, safe man-hours represent the well-being of our people – ensuring that they are able to return home safely to their families at the end of every shift. This reflects the collective discipline, care, and accountability that allow us to operate safely while supporting business continuity,” said Gozo.

As Aboitiz Foods grows, it remains focused on strengthening safety practices across its operations through programs that equip its people with the skills, understanding, and confidence to work safely—reinforcing the belief that resilient businesses are built by protected and empowered teams.

“Workplace safety and health are foundational to building resilient operations at Aboitiz Foods. As we evolve, we continue to boost awareness, improve how we identify and resolve risks, and ensure that employees, contractors, and partners remain active participants in creating safer workplaces. Safety is a journey of continuous improvement, and every step forward helps us build a stronger, more resilient organization for the future,” said Jose George Domitorio, Assistant Vice President for Feeds Operations in Tarlac.

More than a measure of operational performance, safety reflects how Aboitiz Foods values its people. Through disciplined practices, proactive engagement, and the core values of responsibility and teamwork, the company’s employees and partners can work safely, return home healthy, and continue nourishing the future together.

FAQs:

1. What milestone did Aboitiz Foods achieve in workplace safety?

As of May 2026, Aboitiz Foods’ feed mill operations in the Philippines reached a combined milestone of over 6 million safe man-hours, indicating zero lost-time injuries or medical treatment cases. Broken down by facility, the Tarlac site logged nearly 4.5 million safe man-hours spanning more than 1,000 days, while the Iligan site achieved over 1.6 million safe man-hours across 251 days.

2. What recognition did the Iligan site receive for its safety standards?

The Department of Labor and Employment Region X honored Aboitiz Foods’ subsidiary, Pilmico Foods Corporation, with a Gold Award for Outstanding Occupational Safety and Health Performance under its Safety Milestone Recognition Program. The Iligan facility earned an exemplary 95% rating during the rigorous workplace safety evaluation.

3. How does Aboitiz Foods move “beyond compliance” to build a safety culture?

While both sites maintained 100% regulatory compliance with environmental, fire, and labor bodies, the company treats safety as a daily shared responsibility rather than just a policy checklist. To proactively mitigate risks, the sites utilize:

• Behavior-Based Safety (BBS) programs and safety coaching
• QR-code-enabled reporting tools to report unsafe conditions in real time.
• Daily safety conversations, proactive hazard identification, and leadership visibility on the ground