Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) and Philippine Pharma Procurement Inc. (PPPI) formalized their partnership on Monday with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at establishing a state-of-the-art pharmaceutical logistics and distribution center within the Clark Aviation Capital (CAC) at the Clark Freeport Zone.
This strategic move supports CIAC’s vision of transforming the region into the Philippines’ premier logistics hub, a goal underscored by the growing demand for streamlined pharmaceutical distribution and cold chain management capabilities.
Strengthening Logistics and Compliance
CIAC President Jojit Alcazar emphasized that both parties would explore various investment opportunities, including joint ventures and Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) while ensuring strict adherence to industry regulations and cold chain standards.
“We share a mutual recognition of Clark’s unique advantages as a prime location for building a pharmaceutical logistics hub with robust air cargo handling capabilities. This prompted us to expedite the formalization of this partnership,” said Alcazar.
The MOU was signed at PPPI’s headquarters in Makati City, with CIAC directors Glenn Albano, Victor Manuel, and Rommel Ma. Santiago, along with CIAC Senior Executive Assistant Atty. Marie Elizabeth Lotilla and Chief Strategic Urban Planner Melissa Feliciano, joining PPPI President Maria Blanca Kim Lokin for the occasion.
Strategic Location for Pharma Logistics
“We are excited about this opportunity, as Clark’s strategic location offers a spacious and uncongested area near Clark International Airport, key seaports, and national highways in a disaster-resilient environment,” said Lokin. “This development will enhance PPPI’s logistics and distribution operations, allowing us to create an integrated, modern warehousing facility with advanced cold chain solutions.”
The partnership is aligned with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s vision of establishing pharmaceutical ecozones to improve access to medicines and reduce the country’s reliance on imported pharmaceutical products. It also supports the Botika at Bakuna Para Sa Mamamayan Program, which aims to improve the availability of essential medicines and vaccines for Filipino communities.
Collaborating with Global Logistics Leaders
Alcazar added, “Clark is already home to global logistics leaders such as FedEx, UPS, and DHL. By partnering with PPPI, the only government-run pharmaceutical company in the Philippines, CIAC is further solidifying its position as the nation’s premier global civil aviation logistics hub.”
Clark Aviation Capital: A Strategic Hub for Growth
Clark Aviation Capital is strategically situated within the Clark Freeport Zone, adjacent to the Clark International Airport, and is poised to become the country’s foremost aviation-centered business and logistics hub. With its location at the heart of Luzon, the area is accessible not only by air but also via major highways like the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), and the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX). Future rail access will be provided by the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) and the Subic-Clark-Manila-Batangas Cargo Railway.
Alcazar further noted, “This development, coupled with the Clark airport’s international and domestic connectivity, will ensure that healthcare services and affordable medicines are accessible to even the most remote communities across the country, in line with the eight-point socioeconomic agenda of President Marcos, which focuses on affordable and accessible healthcare for all Filipinos.”
Philippine Pharma Procurement Inc. (PPPI) is an attached agency of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), responsible for managing investments in the pharmaceutical sector and providing quality, low-cost medicines and medical supplies to government and private health institutions nationwide.
