Ayala Land, Metro Pacific to build greenhouse in El Nido’s Lio Estate
‘This project aligns with our mission to modernize Philippine agriculture through innovation.’
(From left) Ayala Land Leisure Estates chief finance officer Len Salazar, Ayala Land Leisure Estates head Cris Zuluaga, Metro Pacific Agro Ventures president and CEO Jovy Hernandez and Metro Pacific Fresh Farms general manager and COO Lior Crystal.
Photographs courtesy of Ayala Land Leisure Estate
Ayala Land Leisure Estates has partnered with Metro Pacific Agro Ventures (MPAV) to develop a large-scale greenhouse in Lio Estate, El Nido, Palawan, in a move aimed at bolstering sustainable agriculture and supporting eco-tourism in the region.
The agreement, announced this week, will see MPAV lease land within the Ayala-owned Lio Estate to construct a climate-controlled greenhouse facility with a production capacity of up to 100,000 kilograms of vegetables annually. The project is scheduled to break ground in the third quarter of 2025, with operations expected to begin by the end of 2026.
“This partnership is poised to make a substantial impact on the region,” said Ayala Land Leisure Estates group head Cris Zuluaga. “The greenhouse will supply fresh, locally grown produce to our hotels — Seda Lio, Huni and The El Nido Resorts — as well as to other estate locators and the broader El Nido community.”
Zuluaga said the initiative is part of Ayala Land’s long-term vision for Lio Estate, which centers on sustainability and reducing reliance on imported food supplies from outside Palawan.
A sample of the produce that will be locally grown to supply Ayala Land Leisure Estates’ hotels such as Seda, Lio, Huni and The El Nido Resorts.
MPAV, a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, will oversee the development and operations of the facility. It will incorporate modern farming technologies such as hydroponics and fully climate-controlled systems to enable year-round vegetable production.
“This project aligns with our mission to modernize Philippine agriculture through innovation,” said MPAV president and CEO Jovy Hernandez. “We want to show that sustainable agriculture can thrive even in remote locations.”
The planned El Nido greenhouse follows MPAV’s recent agricultural ventures, including its flagship project in San Rafael, Bulacan — Metro Pacific Fresh Farms — which it operates with Israel-based LR Group. That facility currently spans 3.5 hectares and produces 500 metric tons of vegetables annually, with plans to expand to 7 hectares.
In addition to food production, the Lio Estate greenhouse will also function as a learning center for local farmers, providing training in sustainable and high-efficiency agriculture techniques.
The project underscores a growing trend of integrating eco-tourism with sustainable food systems, as private sector players explore new models of development that combine environmental responsibility, local empowerment and food security.