CLARK FREEPORT – The Clark Development Corporation (CDC) has issued guidelines in limiting people movement here as part of the measures under the ‘enhanced community quarantine’ in view of the threat of COVID-19 spread.
Effective on 18 March 2020, only employees in specific business enterprises will be allowed to and from the Freeport. These include workers in the food sector (groceries, supermarkets, duty free shops, convenience stores), gasoline stations, clinics and hospitals, drug stores, banks, payment and remittance centers, waste management (garbage collection), utility companies (power, water, telcos), logistics, grounds maintenance (street sweeping, grass cutting), BPOs and manufacturing.
Pursuant to the Malacanang Memorandum dated March 16, 2020 as issued by the Office of the Executive Secretary, the guidelines were presented to various locators’ groups in marathon meetings Tuesday, March 17 held by Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and CDC.
The guidelines have the following provisions.
Limitations. Only workers in the business process outsourcing, and manufacturing, sectors will be allowed entry, with employers required to provide housing inside the Freeport. Locators are advised to coordinate with CDC and arrange for entry and housing protocols. All other business enterprise not included in the allowed list are closed.
The hotels here will be limited to serving current guests with no further bookings, except where locators allowed to operate would opt to utilize the hotels as temporary billeting for their employees. Restaurants will be allowed to prepare food only for delivery. There can be no sit downs or dine ins.
Reiterations. The Clark guidelines reiterate the prohibitions in the Malcanang Memo. These include mass gatherings, public utitlity jeepneys, all construction work, suspension of classes in schools.
Essential CDC offices to remain open. Public Safety, Engineering, and Health Services will continue to operate. Business processes like permit applications shall be made online or via the internet.
In a bid to discourage personal appearances for transactions and processing of documents in CDC offices, the state-owned firm is encouraging locators and stakeholders utilize the online services of CDC and other forms of communication such as telephones, email, and teleconferences.
Earlier, CDC has closed the Clark Museum and 4D Theater, CDC Gym, tennis court and public parks operated and maintained by the state agency. The same was also ordered for stand-alone gyms, sports, spa, massage and wellness centers and beauty parlors operated by private companies.
Entry and exit points. Only the Main, Mabalacat and Friendship Gates and the Clark North and Clark South entry and exit points will be open. The Sapangbato and Don Juico Gates will be closed. At all entry points, thermal scanning will be conducted. Company IDs or supporting documents must be presented by employees of enterprises that are allowed to operate. For delivery vans, drivers are encouraged to bring along alternates in the event that the primary driver registers fever.
While CDC issues its own guidelines for Clark, it advises the public to monitor additional public advisories posted by all other government agencies like DOH and DOTr through social media and other platforms.