The Department of Agriculture (DA) has fast-tracked the development of the ₱4-billion National Food Hub in Pampanga, pushing the high-priority logistics complex closer to physical construction with a target of commencing partial operations before the end of 2027.
The strategic initiative gained official ground following key agreements inked between the DA and Food Terminal Inc. (FTI) regarding funding, construction, and management, alongside a property agreement between FTI and the Clark International Airport Corporation.
Under the deal, the project will cover roughly 40 hectares situated within the Clark Aviation Capital, with operational mechanisms built in to accommodate future physical expansion.
To maintain momentum, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. ordered FTI President Joseph Lo and Agriculture Undersecretary Arrey Perez to keep implementation strictly on an expedited timetable.
Designed to unify food aggregation, warehousing, processing, distribution, and commercialization into a single ecosystem, the Clark Mega Food Hub will feature:
- Temperature-controlled cold storage and dry warehousing spaces
- Food processing and packaging facilities
- Quality control and food safety testing laboratories
- Dedicated infrastructure for agricultural export processing
- Commercial spaces designated for wholesale and retail trading
The primary purpose of the facility is to bridge the systemic gap separating farm producers from end markets—a structural issue that has long plagued local supply chains. Inefficient distribution networks slash agricultural margins, deter commercial investment, and drive up food costs for everyday consumers.
“We cannot build a modern agriculture sector if our farmers can produce more but cannot get their products to markets efficiently and profitably,” Tiu Laurel said.
“Today, we give this project the foundation to move from paper to pavement.”
The Cabinet official stressed that the infrastructure directly reflects President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s strategy to modernize domestic agriculture and guarantee food security.
“And this is more than just a campaign promise. For President Marcos, it is a covenant with the Filipino people, especially those who feed the nation every day,” he said.
Preparatory benchmarks have been carried out since last year, according to Lo. A specialized operational team was deployed to benchmark advanced distribution frameworks across Thailand, France, Spain, the Netherlands, and Japan to adapt global best practices into the local model.
FTI is tasked with the long-term operations, administration, and upkeep of the complex, while the DA retains direct supervisory oversight over construction and execution.
According to Perez, the overarching objective remains raising the livelihoods of agricultural and aquatic workers by eliminating unnecessary intermediaries in the supply chain.
“Our dream here is simple: to put more money in the pockets of our farmers and fisherfolk. At the Clark Hub, they will have a direct way to sell their harvest to markets and buyers, with less layers in between.
“This is not just about buildings and warehouses – it is about building a system that makes life easier and more profitable for those who feed our nation,” Perez said.
Once fully operational, the Mega Food Hub is projected to generate roughly 2,500 jobs while unlocking dynamic growth across the national agricultural and fisheries sectors.
Ultimately, the success of the project will be evaluated by its capability to accelerate food supply velocity, connect producers straight to buyers, and yield higher net returns for local producers.