DTI, CIAC partner for P8.5-B food hub

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) have forged a partnership with the Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) to establish the P8.5-billion mega food hub in Clark City, Pampanga.

The planned National Food Hub in Clark City aligns with the farm-tofork approach outlined in the ThreeYear Food Logistic Action Agenda, aiming to transform the food distribution system nationwide.

“This MoU (memorandum of understanding) will accelerate the government’s efforts to make food available, accessible and more affordable to the consuming public. The DTI expresses its full commitment to this initiative given our two-pronged objectives to ensure logistics efficiency and expand food exports,” Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual said during the signing ceremony on Monday.

The 64-hectare Clark National Food Hub, to be located in the Clark Civil Aviation Complex (CCAC), aligns with the government’s vision of positioning the Philippines as a premier agricultural hub regionally and globally.

It will also serve as the country’s primary wholesale market and distribution center for high-quality food products.

“The National Food Hub, in tandem with the CIAC’s six other flagship projects, will be a gamechanger for the Philippines’ overall agricultural productivity and the revitalization of our exports sector. And key to everything is partnerships like this — where minds and wills align,” CIAC President Arrey

Perez said.

He added that they are making significant progress in seeking out key investors and major food corporations and collaboration with the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center to finalize the project preparation phases and expedite the groundbreaking process as soon as possible.

The first phase of the project is expected to be completed by 2028, Perez said.

“Clark is ideal for the mega food hub because of its expansive space for infrastructure and facilities, and seamless road network connecting north, central and south Luzon to the world-class Clark airport capable of handling cargo and logistics,” said Perez.

Under the MoU, the DA will spearhead the development of the policy framework, public investments, and support services essential for domestic and exportfocused enterprises to advance the objectives of the food hub.

This covers securing funds for the establishment or enhancement of cold chain facilities and food terminals to expand the logistics network of the food hub.

The DTI will offer assistance to foster investments in constructing and managing the said project, while also playing a pivotal role in promoting market and logistical connections between producers and institutional buyers.

For his part, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said that the partnership leverages the financial resources, technical expertise and innovative technologies of the private sector to attain the necessary economies of scale in agricultural production.

“The National Food Hub embodies the topmost strategy of our national government towards an inter-agency collaboration towards the achievement of multiple and cross/cutting goals such as the enhancing of food security, reducing of food inflation, increasing the purchasing power of the income of the households, and ultimately, increasing the income of our farmers,” said Tiu Laurel.