CLARK GATE CHECKS. As part of its measures under the Enhanced Community Quarantine, Clark Development Corporation has reinforced security procedures at the gates which now include thermal scanning. Only workers in essential stores like hospitals, groceries, maintenance and those in select allowed industry such as BPOs and manufacturing are allowed to enter Clark. Photo Courtesy of CDC-CD
CLARK FREEPORT – Limits to access in this freeport have been set by the Clark Development Corp. which oversees its management.
The CDC has issued guidelines in limiting the movement of people in this freeport as part of the measures under the enhanced community quarantine in view of the threat of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Beginning March 18, only employees in specific business enterprises will be allowed to and from this freeport. The CDC said 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, as issued by the Office of the Executive Secretary, the guidelines were presented to various locators’ groups in marathon meetings on March 17 held by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority and the 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.
The CDC guidelines reiterate the prohibitions in the Malcanang Memo. These include mass gatherings, public utility 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 stateowned firm is encouraging locators and stakeholders utilize the online services of CDC and other forms of communication such as telephones, email, and teleconferences.
Earlier, the CDC closed the Clark Museum and 4D Theater, CDC Gym, tennis courts and public parks operated and maintained by the state agency. The closure was also ordered for stand-alone gyms, sports, spa, massage and wellness centers and beauty parlors operated by private companies.
Access
Only the Main, Mabalacat, and Friendship Gates and the Clark North and Clark South entry and exit points of the SCTEX will be open.
The Sapangbato and Don Juico Gates will be closed.
Thermal scanning will be conducted at all entry points. 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 the CDC issues its own guidelines for Clark, it advises the public to monitor additional public advisories posted by all other government agencies like the Department of Health and Department of Transportation through social media and other platforms.
