The Department of Agriculture (DA) is set to revolutionize the local agricultural supply chain by establishing a series of strategic food hubs across the country this year. Backed by a significantly increased budget of PhP215 billion, the initiative aims to provide farmers with direct market access, reduce logistical costs, and stabilize food prices for consumers.
The food hubs are designed to serve as centralized marketplaces where farmers and cooperatives can sell directly to wholesale buyers and consumers. During a recent Palace briefing, DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel emphasized that these terminals are the “missing link” in the country’s agricultural infrastructure.
Beyond simple trading, these hubs will function as comprehensive service centers. “It’s a one-stop shop,” Tiu Laurel explained. “The customers are there, the cold storage is there, and even the fertilizer they need for the return trip is there. This is a vital result of the budget granted to us this year.”
The DA has identified several key areas for the initial rollout of these high-impact facilities:
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Clark, Pampanga (PhP2 Billion): A massive food hub will be constructed to serve as the primary gateway for agricultural products from Northern Luzon. The facility is expected to be operational by the first quarter of 2027.
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Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon (PhP500 Million): This hub will occupy a 40-hectare lot and will include a dedicated grain terminal and nearby cold storage facilities to support Mindanao’s grain producers.
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Pili, Camarines Sur (PhP500 Million): Strategically located next to a mega cold storage facility (set for completion this February), this hub will allow Bicolano farmers to store excess produce and reduce post-harvest losses.
The expansion is made possible by the collaborative support of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the Senate, and Congress. By integrating cold storage and grain terminals directly into these marketplaces, the DA aims to ensure that “excess produce” can be preserved and sold at competitive prices rather than going to waste.
“This is what we truly need,” said Tiu Laurel. “By placing these hubs within striking distance of our farmers, we are addressing long-standing logistical challenges and ensuring that the fruits of their labor reach the market efficiently.”
