CLARK FREEPORT ZONE —The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Public-Private Partnership Center have signed an agreement with the Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) for technical advisory services in the establishment of the 62-hectare National Food Hub at the Clark civil aviation complex, an executive of the government aviation firm announced on Thursday.
CIAC President Arrey Perez said the ceremonial signing “is a huge step in this transaction advisory phase as it ensures technical expertise in the preparation, structuring, and procurement of the concessionaire for the National Food Hub Project.”
As the CIAC’s advisor, the ADB will provide market-facing transaction advisory services and technical assistance, including the preparation of pre-tender documents, securing approvals, and assistance with the tender process, Perez added.
The signing ceremony held at the ADB headquarters in Pasig City on July 12, 2024 was also attended by Undersecretary Cheryl Marie Natividad-Caballero of the Department of Agriculture, Undersecretary Mary Jean T. Pacheco of the Department of Trade and Industry, Undersecretary Shereen Gail Yu-Pamintuan of the Department of Tourism, and Transportation Undersecretary for Aviation Roberto C.O. Lim.
“With an international finance institution like the ADB, along with the PPP Center as partners, this agreement not only gives superior value to the (project) concept, but also ensures that technical expertise is applied every step of the way,” Perez said.
Earlier this year, the Project Development and Monitoring Facility managed and administered by the PPP Center granted a US$450,000.00 funding support to the CIAC for the project.
The PPP Center, in turn, procured the services of the ADB’s Office of Markets Development and Public-Private Partnership (OMDP) following the negotiated procurement process outlined in Republic Act 9184.
The OMDP actively assists developing economies in attracting greater private investment and fostering dynamic private-sector led growth across Asia and the Pacific.
The P8.5-billion National Food Hub Project involves the development, operations, and maintenance of a wholesale food hub serving the Clark Freeport Zone, New Clark City, Metro Manila, and North, Central, and Southern Luzon, including the peripheral areas.
Perez said the hub is set on replicating state-of-the-art agro-logistics system of food hubs in advanced Asian countries, raise the standards of food safety and provide better opportunities for the local farmers, fisherfolk, and growers.
“The Clark hub will serve as a comprehensive central solution for the distribution, storage, and processing of agricultural products which will enhance the national government’s food security measures—a priority program of the Marcos administration,” Perez added.
Perez noted the ADB’s feasibility study and other pre-tender documents are expected to be completed by January 2025, while tender documents will be publicly released within the first quarter of next year, and the target schedule for the signing of the project concession agreement is on January 2026.
