PH needs 10 to 12 mega food hubs to boost food distribution – DA

MANILA, Philippines — The country needs at least 10 to 12 mega food hubs to help farmers and fisherfolk distribute their goods more efficiently, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said on Tuesday.

During the House committee on appropriations’ briefing on the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) 2027 budget proposal, Tiu Laurel said the agency is eyeing the start of operations of five food hubs during the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

READ: FTI lays out P20-B on mega food hubs

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“From what we can see, the country needs at least 10-12 mega food hubs to lessen traders, increase the profit of farmers… and that will go down to the municipal levels, to public markets,” he said.

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The secretary also noted that while Thailand has 16 mega food hubs, the Philippines has none. He said Thailand patterned its food hubs after the concept of Food Terminal Inc., which was originally established during the administration of the late dictator President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

READ: DA speeds up construction of major Clark food hub

Tiu Laurel said three food hubs will be implemented under the 2026 national budget in Clark, Pampanga; Isabela; and Pili, Camarines Sur. He added that under the proposed 2027 budget, food hubs are planned for Tiaong, Quezon; San Pablo, Laguna; Albay; Roxas, Zamboanga del Norte; and Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.

Gabriela Rep. Sarah Jane Elago asked Tiu Laurel if the DA coordinates with the Department of the Interior and Local Government and local government units to help small market vendors secure space in markets even if they can only display their produce weekly or seasonally.

He said the agency continues to implement the Kadiwa ng Pangulo program to link local farmers with different local government units. He noted that there are around 800 Kadiwa sites across the country. /mcm