FTI, CIAC ink MOA for P3.6-B Mega Food Hub in Pampanga

State-led Food Terminal Inc. has inked a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) to develop a P3.6-billion Bagsakan ng Bayan Mega Food Hub in Pampanga that will serve as the main trading center for northern Luzon.

The mega food hub is set to be a large-scale agri-food complex that will integrate wholesale trading, food storage, processing, logistics, and agri-tourism facilities, along with a Halal-certified zone and dedicated spaces for One Town, One Product (OTOP) enterprises.

The project will be led by FTI, a government-owned and -controlled corporation under the Department of Agriculture (DA) mandated to act as a strategic partner for the government and agricultural sector to achieve food security and stabilize commodity prices.

“This is one of the several mega food hubs the DA will develop to ensure stable markets and long-term food security,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said in a statement.

It will be located in a 46-hectare property in Clark, Pampanga, with development of a 10-hectare section scheduled to be started early next year. The DA earlier said the initial 12-hectare section will cost some P2 billion.

The MOA for the project was signed by CIAC president Joseph Alcazar, and FTI president Joseph Lo who said it revives the state-led corporation’s original mission of linking farmers 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,” he said. — Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/RSJ, GMA Integrated News