The government is investing P3.6 billion to build the Bagsakan ng Bayan (BBM) Mega Food Hub in Clark Freeport Zone (CFZ), a major step toward modernizing the Philippines’ agricultural logistics and strengthening national food security.
The initiative follows a memorandum of agreement between Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) and Food Terminal Inc. (FTI), which will oversee the project’s development, operation, and maintenance. The hub is envisioned to become a central trading and processing facility for food products from Luzon and beyond.
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Transforming Clark into a Food and Trade Gateway
CIAC President Joseph Alcazar said the partnership marks a significant milestone in transforming the Clark aviation complex into the “Clark Aviation Capital,” in line with the Marcos administration’s goal of boosting agricultural productivity through logistics modernization.
“This partnership aligns squarely with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to prioritize agricultural development and strengthen the agro- and agri-logistics value chain, particularly in advancing the nation’s aquaculture and agriculture industries,” Alcazar explained.
He added that the hub will serve CFZ, New Clark City in Tarlac, Metro Manila, and the regions of Northern, Central, and Southern Luzon, providing farmers and traders direct access to global markets. The project will include modern warehouses, cold storage units, food processing and packaging plants, administrative offices, research and quality control centers, and trading spaces for local and export goods.
Reviving Direct Farmer-to-Consumer Trade
FTI President and CEO Joseph Rudolph Lo emphasized that the Clark facility will revive the terminal’s original mission of connecting producers directly to consumers.
“The hub will encourage producers and entrepreneurs, ensure fair farm-gate prices, lower food costs, reduce post-harvest losses, create jobs, and stabilize supply,” Lo pointed out.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the Clark food hub is part of a broader national strategy to replicate the success of regional food terminals in neighboring ASEAN countries.
“This is one of several mega food hubs the DA will develop to ensure stable markets and long-term food security. This supports the vision of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of giving farmers and fisherfolk fair access to markets through strategically located food terminals,” Laurel explained.
A Vision for Nationwide Expansion
The 46-hectare complex will begin development early next year, starting with an initial 10-hectare phase. It will include a halal-certified zone and designated spaces for One Town, One Product (OTOP) enterprises that promote local innovation and sustainable livelihoods.
Future expansions include a 40-hectare food hub in Bukidnon to serve Mindanao producers and a 30-hectare facility in Quezon province for Southern Luzon and Bicol products. FTI, under the Department of Agriculture, will lease the Clark property from CIAC for 25 years to ensure long-term partnership and operational stability.
