Investors inside the Clark Freeport Zone are hopeful the growth center will bounce back despite the economic pinch brought by the new coronavirus.
Irineo G. Alvaro, Jr., Chairman of Clark Investors and Locators Association, said that Clark has always bounced back from calamities, even from double whammy brought by the departure of American forces at the former US-run Clark Air Base and the cataclysmic eruptions of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991.
“Clark had been in the most difficult times in the past, the (American) bases pullout and the Mt Pinatubo eruption (in June 1991) are among the vivid examples of an unimaginable destruction. But few years after, Clark bounced back much stronger.”
Clark Air Base, was former home to the 13th US Air Force then the biggest military installation outside US mainland. It was also one of the biggest employment generators for many locals and its neighboring towns and provinces.
“I believe Clark businesses will be hurt and the consequences of the (pandemic) will be huge, but with the resiliency of the people in Central Luzon in general and Clark in particular, as the old adage would say no mountains high we cannot climb, no deepest sea we cannot swim,” Alvaro said when asked how will Clark be able to bounce back.
“We will bounce back, in the next 10- 24 months,” Alvaro said.
“Right now CILA is in partnership with CDC (Clark Development Corporation) on formulating more detailed and scientific safety protocols,” he said.
“First, CILA will start with several virtual meetings (on line) per industry to solicit their suggestions and ideas for a much scientific approach to the new normal,” the CILA Chair said.
Alvaro also said that “we have to take things one at a time, right now the focus is not yet on the income or the profit but how to survive by acting as one.”
“Also, we must convince IATF first that we are already qualified for the GCQ, then after that we move forward for the second step,” he added.
“Second, CILA had been conducting online webinars for businesses on how to make their facilities and businesses resilient to any disastrous situation. We are using our own resources and expertise in this matter, Alvaro is also the President of BB International which operates Midori Hotel and Casino, Aqua Planet, and Eaglesky.
Alvaro is also partner of MIREJ Hotel, a luxury hotel, that will soon operate inside this Freeport.