CLARK FREEPORT – Clark Development Corporation (CDC) welcomed Atty. Agnes VST Devanadera as its first female president and the 14th top executive to head the state-owned corporation.
During the CDC Board organizational meeting held on Friday, September 9, 2022, Devanadera took her oath before CDC Chairman Atty. Edgardo Pamintuan. Other members of the CDC Board and executive officials were also present to witness the oath taking rites.
Devandera succeeded PBGen. Manuel R. Gaerlan following the issuance of her appointment paper from Malacañang dated Sept. 1, 2022. The new CDC president will also concurrently serve as a member of the CDC Board of Directors.
Devanadera has extensive public service experience. She was the country’s 41st Solicitor General (2007 to 2010), and the former Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) from November 2017 to July 2022.
Before these, Devanadera also held various positions in the government having served as the Secretary of the Department of Justice (DOJ); Undersecretary for legal and legislative affairs at the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) from 2003 to 2004; Government Corporate Counsel in 2004; president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines in 1997; and Mayor of her home town in Sampaloc, Quezon from 1988 to 1998.
Meanwhile, outgoing president and CEO Gaerlan expressed optimism as Devanadera assumed the presidency.
“The incoming president and CEO has a very vast and wide experience in public service being a former secretary of justice, former mayor, former chairperson of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), and a lawyer of course. She’s a very qualified and highly competent government official,” he said.
Gaerlan also thanked the employees, stakeholders, and locators in the Freeport who supported him during his term in CDC.
“I wish to thank all those who have extended assistance to me and my family during my incumbency. I would not have accomplished my tasks without your support. My special appreciation to the CDC Board of Directors and employees, my counterparts in the BCDA and other government agencies, the local government officials of Pampanga, Tarlac, Angeles City, Mabalacat City, Porac, Bamban and Capas, the Clark locators and investors, and the good Lord for always guiding me in my work and decisions. I hope to have served the Clark community well. To God be the glory,” he said.