ANGELES CITY – Comebacking former Congressman Joseller “Yeng” Guiao has underscored the creation of an integrated plan that will harmonize infrastructure, transport, economic programs that will benefit Clark communities in view of the developments inside the Freeport.
“We need to plan ahead, thus there is a need to have a Metro Clark Urban Development Plan. This will redound to better facilities, better future for residents of communities in and around Clark,” Guiao said in a recent media conference.
“This means we already need to talk with members of Congress for the approval and funding of an integrated plan covering various aspects like transportation, infra, economy and the like,” he added.
“We already need to talk about our expansion of our roads system, considering also the putting up of subways and rails like LRTs and MRTs. We need to have this tackled and approved in Congress,” he said.
Guiao said that he is proud of the growth that is taking place in Clark Freeport, citing the development of the Clark International Airport, establishment of sports facilities in New Clark City and on-going construction of railway system.
As First District Congressman from 2013 to 2016, he is widely credited for sourcing out the P2.9 billion funds that are now being utilized in the construction of new passenger terminal at the Clark International Airport.
“I feel that we all can be proud of major contributions to these developments,” he said while sharing his experience in lobbying various projects for Clark during his time in the Congress.
Guiao also mentioned about the suitability of Clark as major sports hub now that it is about to host the upcoming Southeast Asian (SEA) Games 2019.
“Yung advocacy po natin na sana ang Clark maging center of sports not only in Central Luzon but in the whole Philippines. The Southeast Asian Games is going to be hosted here in Clark. Of course the facilities are not going to be exactly in Mabalacat and Angeles but they will be within the Freeport Zone.”
Guiao, since the early 2000s, has advocated for the development of Clark as a center for sports development and sporting activities.
He added that the hosting of SEA Games in Clark will also help in ushering in more opportunities and developments for underutilized areas here.
“Actually, I still consider that as a victory because the zone is already fully utilized so the best way to put more facilities would be the areas that are underutilized and where we want the next wave of progress to happen. We take note of this progress as developments in Clark takes the shape of its intended use,” he said.