CLARK FREEPORT – ‘Build, build, build.”
Thus goes the campaign of the national government for Central Luzon’s infrastructure developments, anchored in President Rodrigo Duterte’s 10-point socioeconomic agenda.
The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) led by its new president and CEO Vivencio Dizon, organized a stakeholders’ roadshow at Royce Hotel here highlighting talks on the Clark Infrastructure Development Plan.
Dizon said that significant infrastructure projects in mass urban transport and alternative green city solutions are included in the plan.
Dizon said these key infrastructure projects are envisioned to propel the Clark Freeport Zone to achieve its full potential assuring inclusive growth for Central Luzon, which is already an important haven for employment and investments in the country.
In a press statement, BCDA revealed that the projects included in the infra development plan are the Clark International Airport Terminal Building, envisioned to be a world-class airport aimed at reducing traffic at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA); the Manila-Clark Railway, which will provide connectivity and reduce travel time between Manila and Clark to one hour; and the Subic-Clark Railway, which will link the Subic Freeport to Clark International Airport, to ensure the fast movement of goods that will bring down prices of basic commodities.
Several infrastructure projects have also been lined up in the 9,450-hectare Clark Green City, touted as the country’s first smart, green and disaster-resilient city meant to decongest main urban centers. These projects include the development of transport system, government center, agro-industrial park, food processing terminal and international food market, energy management system, and integrated care development center.
A Manifesto of Support for ‘Build, Build, Build’ — the government’s infrastructure development plan for the next six years was also signed by key officials of the zone specifically local government leaders from provinces and municipalities in Pampanga and Tarlac, including the mayors, governors and representatives of the first to the third districts of Pampanga.
Those who signed with Dizon were Angeles City Councilor Edu Pamintuan representing his father, Angeles City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan; Porac Mayor Condralito Dela Cruz; Pampanga Vice-Governor Dennis Pineda; Mabalacat City Mayor Marino Morales; Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) OIC President and CEO Alexander Cauguiran; Clark Development Corporation (CDC) President and CEO Noel Manankil; Tarlac Rep. Victor Yap; Tarlac Governor Susan Yap-Sulit; Capas Mayor Reynaldo Catacutan; Bamban Mayor Jon Feliciano; and Subic-Clark Development Council (SCAD) Executive Director Linda Pamintuan.
Regional directors of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA); CDC and CIAC directors, as well as other stakeholders from the region also attended the roadshow.
BCDA said it will hold a series of roadshows to harness the collective efforts of stakeholders for the achievement of the President’s vision of development for the country. This is in line with the drive to achieve bold solutions through fast action in accordance with the principle of transparency, Dizon added.
The Duterte administration sees increased infrastructure spending as key to move the country forward and improve the lives of the Filipino people by generating massive investments, creating millions of jobs and reducing the prices of commodities. The development mantra is to: build, build and build.