State-run Food Terminal Inc. (FTI) is accelerating the rollout of a nationwide network of mega food hubs and regional food terminals designed to shorten the journey of food from farms to markets, reduce post-harvest losses, and help lower food prices for consumers.

The Department of Agriculture-attached firm said the logistics expansion supports president Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s food security agenda by modernizing the country’s food distribution system while creating bigger market opportunities for farmers and fisherfolk.

“We are building the backbone of a modern food distribution system,” FTI president Joseph Lo said. “By connecting production areas directly to markets through integrated food hubs and cold chain facilities, we can reduce logistics costs, minimize post-harvest losses and deliver fresher, more affordable food to Filipino families.”

Mega Food Hubs

FTI is constructing five Mega Food Hubs in Clark, Pampanga; Tiaong, Quezon; Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon; Camarines Sur; and Cebu, along with 16 Regional Food Terminals nationwide.

The Commonwealth Market will also be integrated into the network to create a unified distribution system equipped with cold storage, trading facilities, and modern logistics centers.

Lo said the nationwide program requires around P20 billion in investments and several years to complete, although a number of facilities are expected to begin operations before the end of the Marcos administration.

Among the priority projects is the Mega KADIWA Food Hub in Taguig, targeted for completion by October 2026. Regional Food Hubs in Cebu and Lingayen are also being readied to strengthen the government’s P20-per-kilo rice program through improved storage and distribution. Preparatory work for the Clark Mega Food Hub, including soil testing and safety inspections, is likewise underway.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said the facilities are expected to improve both farm incomes and consumer access to affordable food.

Raising incomes while lowering food costs

“These projects are about raising farmers’ and fisherfolk’s incomes while lowering the cost of food for Filipino consumers. By strengthening logistics and connecting producers directly to markets, we are building a food system that benefits everyone from the farm to the dining table,” he said.

The infrastructure program complements FTI’s expanding KADIWA ng Pangulo network, which now operates in 807 sites nationwide and has sold more than 120,992 metric tons of agricultural products, helping connect producers directly with consumers while supporting a more resilient food supply chain.