Clark also being eyed as mega food complex

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) have partnered with Clark International Airport (CIAC) to collaborate in the development of a mega food hub in Clark City.

The parties signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) yesterday on the collaborative support for the development of the national food hub.

The Clark National Food Hub is a 64-hectare agriculture trading hub inside the Clark Civil Aviation Complex (CCAC) that will support the administration’s vision to make the Philippines a leading agricultural resource hub in the region and the world.

The P8.5-billion food hub is also designed to be the Philippines’ premium wholesale market and distribution hub for quality food produce.

According to the DTI, the MOU aims to enhance food security, empower farmers and the private sector, strengthen supply chain and logistics systems and facilitate infrastructure development.

The DTI said it would lead initiatives related to supply chain and trade facilitation.

It will also be providing assistance to encourage investments in the construction and management of the food hub, and is expected to play a big role in promoting market and logistics linkage between producers and institutional buyers.

“This MOU 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.

For its part, the DA will lead the development of a policy framework, public investment and support services necessary for domestic and export-oriented businesses to support the overall goals of the Clark National Food Hub. This includes the efforts of sourcing the necessary budgets for the establishment or improvement of cold chain facilities and food terminals that will help expand the logistics network of the food center.

Pascual said the project harnesses the mandate and resources of the three government agencies. He added that the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Center has generously committed to provide the transaction advisory services to accelerate the feasibility study and bidding activities of the Hub.

“With the technical support from the USAID through its RESPOND Project, we can achieve the President’s goal of ensuring food security by empowering farmers and the private sectors, as well as strengthening supply chain and logistics systems and infrastructure development,” Pascual said.

CIAC president and CEO Arrey Perez expressed gratitude for the support of the DTI and DA as well as other institutional partners.

“We are making much headway with the PPP Center in completing the project preparation stages, and working around the clock to identify key investors, major food conglomerates, and other private sector partners so we can break ground at the soonest possible time. The National Food Hub, in tandem with the CIAC’s six other flagship projects, will be a game-changer 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,” Perez said.