The Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) is planning to to award the National Food Hub project to its private sector partner next year.

Joseph Alcazar, the new president and CEO of CIAC, said the feasibility study by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for the National Food Hub would be completed in March 2025.

“After we get that, then we will be full steam ahead for the development and inviting investors because we know that the feasibility study is very important for us to be able to do a proper tender for the Food Hub,” he said.

Alcazar added that up to three local and foreign groups are “trying to explore” opportunities to develop the P8.5-billion National Food Hub.

He said he is also hopeful that Congress would pass immediately House of Representatives Bill 10678, or The Clark National Food Hub Act, as this would support the timely delivery of the project.

Alcazar explained that through this legislation, the National Food Hub project would get allocation from the national budget and grant additional incentives for investors and locators.

The National Food Hub aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s goal to ensure affordable and accessible food for all Filipinos.

It is positioned to become the country’s premium wholesale market and distribution hub for high-value and top-quality food products.

The National Food Hub will also host such services as food processing, warehousing, trading, market services, international shipping, and research and quality control.

PHOTO FROM DTI