Food hub to rise in Clark

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Agriculture (DA), and Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Feb. 19, 2024, to jointly develop a mega food hub in Clark City.

This initiative, dubbed the National Food Hub, aligns with the Three-Year Food Logistic Action Agenda's farm-to-fork strategy, aiming to revolutionize the country's food distribution network. As part of this plan, the first priority is establishing food hubs outside Metro Manila to aggregate fresh farm produce.

"This MOU will accelerate the government's efforts to make food accessible and affordable for the public," said Trade Secretary Fred Pascual, highlighting the DTI's commitment to logistics efficiency and expanding food exports.

Spanning 64 hectares within the Clark Civil Aviation Complex (CCAC), the Clark National Food Hub supports President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s vision of making the Philippines a leading regional and global agricultural resource hub. It's also envisioned to be the Philippines' premier wholesale market and distribution center for quality food products.

Under the MOU, the DA will lead policy framework development, public investment, and support services for domestic and export-oriented businesses aligned with the National Food Hub's goals. This includes efforts to secure budgets for cold chain facilities and food terminals that expand the hub's logistics network.

Meanwhile, the DTI will encourage investments in the hub's construction and management and play a key role in fostering market and logistics linkages between producers and institutional buyers.

"This project leverages the mandates and resources of three government agencies," Pascual added. "The PPP Center has generously committed transaction advisory services to expedite the hub's feasibility study and bidding activities. With USAID's technical support through its RESPOND Project, we can achieve the President's food security goals by empowering farmers and the private sector while strengthening supply chains and logistics infrastructure."

CIAC President Arrey Perez expressed elation over the institutional support from the DTI and DA. "We're making headway with the PPP Center and identifying key investors, food conglomerates, and private sector partners for a soonest possible groundbreaking," he said. "The National Food Hub, alongside CIAC's other flagship projects, will be a game-changer for Philippine agricultural productivity and export revitalization. Partnerships like this, where minds and wills align, are key."

Perez highlighted Clark's ideal location for the mega food hub due to its expansive space for infrastructure and facilities, seamless road network connecting Luzon regions to the world-class Clark airport with cargo and logistics capabilities. "Supporting President Marcos' call to prioritize food security, the mega food hub will also address employment and growth dispersal across provinces and regions," he added.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Laurel expressed his enthusiasm for the National Food Hub. "CIAC's PPP approach aligns with the President's directive to leverage the private sector's financial resources, technical expertise, and modern technology to achieve agricultural production economies of scale," he said. "The National Food Hub embodies our government's inter-agency collaboration strategy to achieve multiple goals, including enhanced food security, reduced food inflation, increased household purchasing power, and ultimately, higher farmer incomes."

This MOU reflects the Marcos Jr. administration's whole-of-government approach to boost the country's market competitiveness and advance sustainable agricultural growth. "Our collaborative efforts with the DA and CIAC represent our dedication to achieving a Bagong Pilipinas where sufficient and quality food for every Filipino is a reality," Pascual said.