By Brian Jules Campued
A 64-hectare mega food hub will be established in Clark, Pampanga to boost the farm-to-fork distribution network in the Philippines, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Alfredo Pascual said.
On Monday, the DTI along with the Department of Agriculture (DA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) in Makati City for the development of the National Food Hub which is part of the DTI’s three-year Food Logistics Action Agenda.
The collaboration’s first agenda is to develop food hubs outside Metro Manila and is positioned as the country’s premium wholesale market and distribution hub for fresh farm produce.
“This MOU will accelerate the government’s efforts to make food available, accessible, and more affordable to the consuming public,” Sec. Pascual stated.
According to CIAC president and chief executive officer Arrey Perez, Clark’s expansive space for infrastructure coupled with its road network connecting several parts of Luzon to the Clark International Airport is ideal for the mega food hub.
“A support pillar to President Marcos’ call to prioritize food security, the mega food hub will also address many other governance issues, such as employment and dispersal of growth to provinces and regions,” Perez added.
Under the MOU, the DA will develop the policy framework, public investment, and support services necessary for domestic as well as export-oriented business including the establishment of cold chain facilities and food terminals.
The DTI will assist in generating investments for the construction and management of the food hub aside from promoting market and linkage between producers and institutional buyers.
Perez said they are working closely with the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) center to complete preparation stages for the project as well as identifying key investors, major food conglomerates, and other members of the private sector for the hub.
Meanwhile, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. expressed his excitement in supporting the project, noting the directive of President Marcos to tap on private sectors’ financial surpluses, technical competence, and utilization of modern technology “to ensure that we achieve the economies of scale in agricultural production that we need.”
“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,” Sec. Laurel continued. – avds
