CLARK FREEPORT — Governor Lilia Pineda cited the Clark Development Corporation for its huge contriubtion to the economy of Pampanga by providing jobs to Kapampangan specifically in the ecozone’s surrounding community.
“Tayong mga nasa Pampanga.. masuwerte tayo dahil meron tayong ecozone. Tingnan nyo naman 134,584 employees… Ganun din ang mga locators na umabot na sa bilang na 1092. Malaki ang naitutulong sa ekonomiya ng lalawigan. Hindi biru-biru ang P4.7 billion na export,” said Pineda during a forum with locators, local government officlas, and provincial employment office (PESO) held at Royce Hotel and Casino here Friday.
Dubbed as “Linking CDC Locators and Pampanga PESO”, Pineda said the forum will kickstart the collaboration between CDC and Pampanga. She urged PESO officers to help all investors within the ecozone by providing competent workers.
“I’m going to talk to locators and persuade them to hire or make priority Kapampangans when hiring manpower,” Pineda stressed as she alerted Barangay Captains to be prepared in providing pool of workers needed for the economic zone.
Majority of these locators, Pineda said, needs laborers. “Marami pa rin sa ating mga barangay ang walang trabaho. Kailangan nila high school graduates pero wala silang malapitan.”
She added that CDC locators will not only help the unemployment problem of the province but also eradicate the problem of illegal drugs.
“What we need now is jobs for the unemployed to solve our problem in illegal drugs. Kailangan hanapin natin ang mga walang trabaho, ating i-guide, at i-train natin,” the governnor told her audience.
Meanwhile, Pineda announced that Mabalacat City local government unit gross income earned (GIE) collected from CDC reached P800 million. “Ito ngayon ang naturingan na pinakamayaman na na siyudad sa Pampanga.”
The governor urged Mayor Cris Garbo to find time in sharing his GIE to other LGUs in the province and utilize GIE funds properly. “Gamitin sa tama at tumulong sa mga bayan na mahihirap dito sa lalawigan dahil hindi naman bawal na tumulong sa mga third and fourth class municipalities.”
Pineda vowed to provide ambulance and coaster to be used as service vehicles for the 21 towns. The funds will be sourced out from the GIE of Mabalacat City.