The Department of Agriculture (DA) is building five to six mega food hubs across the Philippines—each spanning 30 to 40 hectares—where only farmers, not traders, can sell directly to consumers, Agriculture Secretary Francisco “Kiko” Tiu Laurel said Saturday.
Tiu Laurel made the disclosure in an interview on DZRH News program Special on Saturday on July 18, as part of the DZRH SONA 2026 Series.
He said the hubs are being built in Clark, Pili in Camarines Sur, Tiaong, Manolo Fortich in Bukidnon, Cebu, Zamboanga del Norte, and Roxas.
“Ang pwede lang magbenta roon ay farmer. Hindi pwedeng trader. So from farm to market talaga iyun,” Tiu Laurel said.
Each hub will have cold storage, processing plants, and a central laboratory for residue testing.
International buyers can visit, select produce, and have it tested on the spot before export.
Tiu Laurel said the food hub model revives and modernizes the concept of the Food Terminal Inc.—originally built by President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.—which was eventually converted to real estate.
He said the hubs will also allow returning farmers to buy seeds, fertilizers, and inputs on their way home.
Not all hubs will be fully completed under the Marcos term—but Tiu Laurel said they will be operational before the administration ends.
“Malamang hindi namin matapos iyan lahat-lahat, but it will be operational before the end of the term,” he said.
