By Nimfa L. Estrellado Symbolizing the Philippines' agricultural bounty, the new Filipino Food Month logo features key food groups. (ADO...
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| Symbolizing the Philippines' agricultural bounty, the new Filipino Food Month logo features key food groups. (ADONIS V. BUHAYAN/DA-AFID/DA.GOV.PH) |
LUCENA CITY, Quezon – Food is life, and to ensure its stable flow and affordability, the Department of Agriculture (DA) plans to establish two major food hubs in Clark and Quezon province, with a combined investment of up to P14 billion. These hubs, expected to be operational next year, will streamline the distribution of essential commodities across Luzon.
Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa announced the ambitious project, revealing that each hub, significantly larger than the Nueva Vizcaya Agricultural Terminal Inc. (NVAT), is projected to cost between P3 billion and P7 billion. The Clark food hub is envisioned to span 30 to 50 hectares, while the Quezon hub will occupy 20 to 30 hectares. In contrast, NVAT, a crucial trading post in Northern Luzon, covers only two hectares.
"These food hubs will function as key distribution centers for a diverse range of agricultural products, from fresh vegetables to meat," de Mesa stated. "They will be equipped with state-of-the-art cold storage facilities and other crucial infrastructure to optimize operations and minimize post-harvest losses."
The DA's initiative comes as a direct response to recent market volatility, notably the sharp decline in tomato prices, which underscored the urgent need for improved storage and distribution systems. The efficient storage and organized distribution facilitated by these hubs are aimed at stabilizing prices and ensuring a consistent supply of essential goods.
The model for these hubs draws inspiration from Thailand's successful network, which comprises 20 similar facilities generating approximately P900 million in daily sales. "We currently lack centralized food terminals where buyers and sellers can conduct wholesale transactions," Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said. "These hubs will be integral to the DA’s comprehensive logistics roadmap," he added, emphasizing the project's priority in stabilizing domestic food prices.
In a related development, the DA announced the launch of the annual Filipino Food Month, commencing on April 4th at the Quezon Provincial Capitol Grounds. This year's theme, "Sarap ng Pagkaing Pilipino, Yaman ng Ating Kasaysayan, Kultura, at Pagkatao," celebrates the nation's rich culinary heritage and agricultural abundance.
"We have chosen Quezon province for the kickoff because it is a significant agricultural hub, especially for vegetables supplied to Metro Manila," explained DA Assistant Secretary for Agribusiness, Marketing, and Consumer Affairs Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra. "Many are unaware that a substantial portion of Metro Manila’s vegetable supply originates from Quezon, not just northern regions, and we intend to highlight this."
The month-long celebration, in collaboration with partner agencies like the Department of Tourism and the National Commission on Culture and the Arts, will feature various activities, including the KAINCON Filipino Food Conference, which attracts scholarly contributions from both local and international experts. The celebration will also showcase the Department of Trade and Industry’s National Food Fair and the AngSarap! Philippine Food Festival.
The launch of Filipino Food Month also introduced a new logo, designed to reflect the nation's rich agricultural diversity. Prominent figures of meat, fish, fruits, and vegetables symbolize the agricultural bounty of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
DA clarified that the logo’s design drew inspiration from the Philippine flag’s colors, emphasizing unity, national pride, and the resilience inherent in preserving and promoting Filipino cuisine. Moreover, the DA emphasized the festival's role as a tool for creating market linkages, thereby increasing farmers' income and fostering agricultural sector growth.
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