CLARK FREEPORT — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on October 15 inaugurated the $80-million United Parcel Service (UPS) Clark International Air Hub at the Clark Civil Aviation Complex, a facility expected to boost logistics operations and generate nearly 600 jobs.

The 30,000-square-meter hub can process 46,000 packages daily, with a maximum capacity of 15,000 packages per hour. It will also expand UPS services across 1,100 global trade lanes.

Clark Development Corp. (CDC) President and CEO Agnes VST Devanadera joined Trade Secretary Maria Cristina Aldeguer-Roque, Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez, Bases Conversion and Development Authority officials, UPS executives, and private-sector representatives at the inauguration.

In his keynote address, Marcos highlighted the importance of efficient logistics in connecting communities, supporting businesses, and ensuring the timely delivery of essential goods, particularly during calamities.

He cited congested ports, inadequate road networks, and high logistics costs as continuing challenges for the country. Logistics costs can reach 27 percent of sales, among the highest in Southeast Asia, he said.

The new facility incorporates technologies and services intended to improve logistics efficiency, including electric ground service vehicles and UPS Premier, a specialized service for healthcare and pharmaceutical shipments that require sensor-based tracking and reliable cold-chain handling.

Marcos also cited infrastructure initiatives that could strengthen Clark’s role in the country’s logistics network, including the proposed Subic-Clark-Manila-Batangas Railway and the Supply Chain and Logistics Center established by the Department of Trade and Industry.

“When an investor promises a project, it is our job to ensure it opens on schedule. This one certainly did,” Marcos said.

The President also underscored the importance of reliable logistics as the country prepares for the potential effects of Super El Niño, particularly in ensuring the steady movement of food and basic commodities and preventing supply disruptions that could put pressure on prices.

CDC, which manages the Clark Freeport Zone, said it remains committed to maintaining a business-friendly environment to attract investments, support locators, and generate employment opportunities in Central Luzon.

The UPS hub is expected to contribute to the region’s economic growth by strengthening logistics capacity and supporting the movement of goods across domestic and international markets. (CDC Press Release)