House Bill 10678 or the National Food House Bill, got approved on first reading at the House of Representatives and is set for elevation to the Senate.
This was revealed by Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) President and CEO Arrey A. Perez at News @ Hues, the monthly media forum of the Pampanga Press Club in partnership with Park Inn by Radisson Clark.
Once signed into law, House Bill 10678 will set in motion the allocation of P3 billion for the establishment of the Clark National Food Hub (CNFH), one of the flagship projects being pushed by CIAC, the agency which oversees the 1,608-hectare Clark Aviation Complex.
According to the CIAC Chief, the establishment of the Clark National Food Hub (CNFH) inside Clark Freeport would bolster the use of the aviation complex as a logistics and cargo hub that would complement airport operations.
Principal authors of HB 10768 include Rep. Rufus Rodriguez (Cagayan De Oro), Maria Angela Garcia (Bataan), and Anna Victoria Tuazon (Leyte). Perez said that Pampanga 2nd District Rep Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo fully supports the food hub project.
The P8.5-billion 62-hectare CNFH is set on replicating state-of-the-art agro-logistics system of food hubs in advanced Asian countries, raise the standards of food safety and provide better opportunities for the local farmers, fisherfolk, and growers.
With CNFH nestled in the complex that also hosts the Clark International Airport, it would serve not just Central Luzon but also the other regions.
“We want to position Clark eventually as a food powerhouse in the Asia Pacific region,” Perez said.
CNFH is envisioned to be a center for wholesale food market and would host facilities for premium food production and preparation.
Recently, CIAC found key partners in Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Public-Private Partnership Center. The ADB would serve as technical and transactional adviser for the planned CNFH. The signed MOA will also pave the way for a feasibility study and the Terms of Reference for Public Bidding.
“Sa CIAC proud po kami na hindi lamang po ito basta pangarap lang,” he added.
Perez also announced that the Maharlika Investment Corporation has also committed to infuse funding anywhere from 10 to 20 percent of the project.
The Departments of Trade and Industry, as well as Agriculture, are also fully supporting the food hub project.
Early this year, the CIAC secured the nod from the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) for the project’s inclusion in the Public Investment Program for 2023 to 2028.
The CNFH is being patterned after the success of renowned food hubs like the Rungis İnternational Food Market in France. (Via Pampanga Press Club)
