MANILA - A mega food hub that seeks to revolutionize the food distribution network in the country is expected to rise in Clark City, Pampanga after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) on Monday.

During the signing ceremony held at the DTI main office in Makati City, DTI Secretary Fred Pascual said that the planned National Food Hub in Clark will be the actualization of the “farm-to-fork” strategy embodied in the Three-Year Food Logistics Action Agenda of the current administration, which seeks to revolutionize the food distribution network of the country.

“This MOU will accelerate the government’s efforts to make food available, accessible, and more affordable to the consuming public. The DTI expresses its full commitment to this initiative given our two-pronged objectives to ensure logistics efficiency, and expand food exports,” Pascual said.

Under the MOU, the DA will lead the development of a policy framework, public investment and support services necessary for domestic and export-oriented businesses to support the overall goals of the National Food Hub.

The DTI will be providing assistance to encourage investments in the construction and management of the Food Hub, and is expected to play a big role in promoting market and logistics linkage between producers and institutional buyers.

Meanwhile, CIAC President Array Perez said in a statement that “Clark is ideal for the mega good hub” due to its expansive space for infrastructure and facilities, and seamless road network connecting north, central and south Luzon to the world-class Clark airport, capable of handling cargo and logistics.

“We are overjoyed with the outpouring of support we are getting from our institutional partners, especially from the DTI and the DA, for us to push for the comprehensive success of this project,” Perez said.