Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) is partnering with Philippine Pharma Procurement Inc. (PPPI) to establish a pharmaceutical logistics and distribution center within Clark Aviation Capital (CAC).
In a statement, CIAC announced that it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with PPPI as part of its commitment to transform CAC into the country’s premier logistics hub.
The 2,367-hectare (ha) CAC, the prime government land surrounding Clark International Airport, currently hosts global logistics leaders, such as FedEx, UPS, and DHL.
CIAC President Jojit Alcazar said the collaboration with PPPI is built on a mutual appreciation of Clark’s capacity as a logistics hub with air cargo handling capabilities.
“With the logistics hub and the Clark airport’s international and domestic routes, healthcare services and affordable medicines for far-flung communities nationwide is ensured,” Alcazar said.
Located in Pampanga, about 80 kilometers (km) northwest of Manila, it is accessible by road through North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), and Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX).
Alcazar added that both CIAC and PPPI are ready to explore future investment plans, joint ventures, and public-private partnership (PPP) options.
CIAC, which manages CAC, is the premier aviation and land development arm of state-owned Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA).
PPPI President Maria Blanca Kim Lokin said forming a partnership with CIAC provides “unparalleled advantage” to the firm’s logistics operations and medical supply distribution.
Lokin noted that they will construct an integrated modern warehousing facility with cold chain solutions to support pharmaceutical products.
"We look forward to this great opportunity as Clark’s strategic location provides a sprawling and uncongested complex in close proximity to Clark International Airport, major seaports, and national road networks in a disaster-resilient environment,” she added.
PPPI, an attached agency of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), is tasked to provide low-priced quality medicine and medical supplies to both government and private hospitals and other health facilities nationwide.
Lokin said developments to be made by PPPI and CIAC will be instrumental in the rollout of Botika at Bakuna Para Sa Mamamayan (BBM) pharmacy program.
Launched last year, the program seeks to make affordable, high-quality medicines and vaccines accessible to all, particularly the underserved communities.
Further, the official said the partnership with CIAC will support President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s goal to erect pharmaceutical ecozones nationwide.
These pharma-specific ecozones strive to improve access to medicines and reduce the country’s dependence on imported pharmaceutical products.