MANILA — The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced its plan to establish additional food hubs this year, designed as direct trading centers where farmers and cooperatives can sell their produce to wholesale buyers or consumers at fair prices, while addressing logistics challenges and improving market access.

During a press briefing at the Palace, DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said the expansion was made possible by the higher ₱215-billion budget allocated to the agency, which he credited to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., as well as the Senate and the House of Representatives.

“I’m happy to announce and thank the President, and of course, both Senate and Congress na nabigyan tayo ng maayos at malaking budget for ‘yung ating food hub. ‘Yun ho talaga ang kailangan natin,” Tiu Laurel said.

He said more than ₱2 billion will be allocated for the construction of a major food hub in Clark, Pampanga, which will serve as a receiving point for agricultural products from Northern Luzon and areas surrounding Clark.

“Sa Clark, PhP2 billion ang probably ilalagay natin sa Clark for our food hub…Hopefully, by first quarter of next year, operational ‘yun,” Tiu Laurel said.

The DA will also allocate ₱500 million each for the construction of food hubs in Pili, Camarines Sur, and Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.

According to Tiu Laurel, the food hub in Manolo Fortich will be built on a 40-hectare site and will have a nearby grain terminal and cold storage facility. Meanwhile, the food hub in Pili will be constructed beside the mega cold storage facility scheduled for completion this February.

“’Yung mega cold storage natin matatapos ng February sa CamSur, then ‘yung food hub itatabi sa kanya. So, doon na ang puntahan, para kung may any excess ngayon ng produkto ng ating farmers na within striking distance nung food hubs na ‘yun, doon na dadalhin,” Tiu Laurel said.

He added that the food hubs are intended to function as one-stop shops for both farmers and buyers.

“Nandoon na ‘yung mga customers, nandoon na ‘yung mga cold storage, nandoon na ‘yung pati ‘yung mga kailangan nilang fertilizer na pabalik na sa kanila, nandoon na para one-stop-shop. So, ‘yun ho ang isang pinakamagandang magiging resulta nung budget na binigay sa amin this year to address that concern,” Tiu Laurel said.