By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
As e-commerce continues to gain momentum worldwide, the Philippines continues to open its doors for further investments from established names in freight forwarding and logistics.
Among these companies is the United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS), which has established a new hub of operations at Clark International Airport, Pampanga.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. graced the grand opening of the UPS International Air Hub with his presence on Thursday, as he reaffirmed support for the job and trade opportunities that the new facility will generate in the region.
The President began with a guided tour of the 30,000-square-meter facility, capable of processing up to 15,000 packages per hour and handling an average of 46,000 packages daily.
It is equipped with automated sorting systems, temperature-controlled areas, and UPS Premier RFID technology to support time-sensitive shipments, particularly for the healthcare, high-tech, and manufacturing sectors.
The hub is expected to support 170 weekly flight segments to and from Clark, and handle shipments originating from and destined for Asia-Pacific, India, Europe, and the United States.
In his speech, President Marcos Jr. hailed the opening of the new facility, which he cited as pivotal in growing the country’s competitiveness as a key player in regional logistics.
“For an archipelagic country such as the Philippines, efficient logistics is vital to economic development and the well-being of our people.”
Investing in the local logistics sector
The UPS International Air Hub is the fruit of an estimated investment amounting to US$80 million, which reflects the confidence of private sector partners in the domestic workforce and the untapped potential of the nation in hosting and sustaining operations of established firms.
It also features dedicated immigration and customs lanes to streamline cargo clearance, as well as 17 electric ground service vehicles and equipment units in support of the government’s advocacy towards environmental sustainability.
President Marcos Jr. said of the new logistics hub, “This completion is an important development for Clark, bringing new opportunities for employment and business growth outside Metro Manila.”
The Chief Executive concluded by reassuring international partners of full support from the Philippine government, vowing to continue streamlining related business processes to facilitate their growth in the country.
Founded in 1907 as the American Messenger Company and eventually rebranding into UPS in 1925, the American multinational firm operates in more than 200 countries and territories, and provides employment for approximately 460,000 individuals worldwide, generating US$88.7 billion in revenue in 2025.
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