The government’s plan to fast-track the development of a food hub in Clark is expected to benefit farmers, traders and buyers by centralizing the storage, processing, and distribution of agricultural commodities while improving access to markets and lowering logistics costs.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. and Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon have committed to accelerating the project, which will be built on a 47-hectare site owned by the Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC).

An initial 12-hectare section has been identified for development at a projected cost of around P2 billion.

“Access to the entire area remains challenging,” Tiu Laurel said over the weekend. “But a 12-hectare section could be sufficient for initial development, considering our current budget and timelines.”

He noted that while the proposed area is smaller than Thailand’s 50-hectare agricultural distribution center, the Clark hub will lay the foundation for future expansion.

The facility could become operational within 18 months from the start of construction.

Dizon, who also chairs CIAC, described the Clark food hub as a potential “game-changer” for Philippine agriculture and food logistics, citing its strategic location near the Subic Seaport, Subic-Clark Expressway, and Clark International Airport.

The food hub concept was originally proposed by Semmaris of France, the operator of the Rungis International Market in Paris.

However, the initial plan stalled after Semmaris’s local partner backed out due to the high relocation costs tied to the original site — costs that Dizon said could have burdened consumers.

With renewed government support, officials are hopeful the project will finally move forward to modernize the country’s food value chain.

At present, the Department of Agriculture is identifying other potential sites nationwide for similar hubs to boost farm output, stabilize food supply and prices, increase farmer incomes, and generate investments and jobs.