3 AGENCIES SIGN DEAL TO ESTABLISH FOOD HUB IN CLARK

A TRIPARTITE deal was signed by the Department of Trade and Ind”stry (DTI), the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) for the development of a National Food Hub (NFH).

The hub will be constructed in a 64-hectare land inside the Clark Civil Aviation Complex in Pampanga.

Its services will include research and quality control, warehousing, food processing, international shipping, marketing services, and trading for local and foreign markets.

The partnership is part of the farm-to-fork strategy embodied in the Three-Year Food Logistic Action Agenda, which primarily aims to establish food hubs outside Metro Manila to cater fresh farm prod”ce.

D”ring the signing of the memorand”m of ”nderstanding, Trade Secretary Alfredo Pasc”al said the move will accelerate the government’s efforts to make food available, accessible and more affordable to the public.

“we express o”r f”ll commitment to this initiative given o”r two-pronged objectives to ensure logistics efficiency and expand food exports,” he added.

The partnership mandates DA to develop policy framework, public investment and s”pport services, incl”ding so”rcing of f”nds for the establishment or improvement of cold chain facilities and food terminals, to expand the logistics network of the NFH.

The DTI, on the other hand, will aid in enco”raging investments for the constr”ction and management of the facility, as well as promoting market and logistics linkage between producers and institutional buyers.

“This project harnesses the mandate and reso”rces of the three government agencies … Thro”gh this, we can achieve the President’s (Ferdinand Marcos jr.) goal of ens”ring food security by empowering farmers and the private sector, as well as strengthening s”pply chain and logistics systems and infrastr”ct”re development,” Pascual explained.

Meanwhile, CIAC President Arrey Perez expressed appreciation to partner agencies for their s”pport in p”shing for the s”ccess of the project, noting that they are working hard to identify key investors, major food conglomerates and other private sectors to fast-track the hub.

“Clark is ideal for the mega food hub because of its expansive space for infrastr”ct”re and facilities, and seamless road network connecting North, Central and South Luzon to the world-class Clark airport capable of handling cargo and logistics,” he said.

Perez also cited that the NFH, coupled with the CIAC’s six other flagship projects, will be a game changer for the co”ntry’s overall agric”lt”ral prod”ctivity and the revitalization of the exports sector.

He added that it will also address many other governance iss”es s”ch as employment and dispersal of growth to provinces and regions.