Po family-led Century Pacific Food Inc., the country’s largest canned food producer, assured the public of sufficient supply of its products during the month-long quarantine of Luzon, refuting talks about a looming shortfall.
“Let us all do our share in beating COVID19 by not panic-buying,” Century Pacific president Ted Po said in a press statement on Friday night.
Century Pacific’s brands include Century Tuna, Argentina, 555, Swift, Birch Tree Fortified Milk, Angel Milk, Fresca, Wow Ulam, Hunt’s and Coco Mama.
“Thanks to the support of the Department of Trade & Industry and the Inter Agency Task Force, we are able to maintain a smooth flow of goods. Our factories are continually operating with enough capacity despite the use of a skeletal workforce. Thus, we currently have sufficient stock of products in our warehouses so there is no need to panic or worry that supply might run out,” Po said.
Century Pacific issued the statement following the Philippine Association of Meat Processors’ warning of declining inventory and raw materials from checkpoints leading to plant locations, lack of transportation for factory workers and imported raw materials being clogged at the ports because customs brokers could not travel due to the lockdown.
The association alleged that Century Pacific only had 15 days worth of stockpile.
“There is enough raw materials and ingredients to sustain production. Our trade partners, distributors and retailers also have enough supply,” Po said.