Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. and Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon agreed to expedite the development of a food hub on a property owned by Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) to centralize the storage, processing, and distribution of agricultural goods while ensuring efficient access for farmers, traders and buyers.
Tiu Laurel confirmed following a recent inspection that around 47 hectares were identified for the project, with an initial 12-hectare development estimated to cost about P2 billion.
“Access to the entire area remains challenging. But a 12-hectare section could be sufficient for initial development, considering our current budget and timelines,” he said.
He said the proposed hub is smaller than Thailand’s 50-hectare agricultural distribution center, but said that if construction begins soon, the hub could be operational within 18 months.
Dizon, who also chairs CIAC, called the initiative a potential “game-changer” for Philippine agriculture and food logistics, citing Clark’s strategic location near the Subic Seaport, the Subic-Clark Expressway, and Clark International Airport (CRK).
He said the concept was initially proposed by French firm Semmaris, operator of the Rungis International Market near Paris.
The plan stalled after Semmaris’s local partner pulled out due to high relocation costs tied to the original site.
With renewed government backing, both officials are optimistic that the long-delayed project would finally break ground and modernize the country’s food value chain.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is also eyeing other locations nationwide to establish similar hubs to boost farm productivity, stabilize supply and prices, raise farmers’ incomes and attract investments.