CLARK FREEPORT – Achieved: P6.3-billion in “actual investments”, an “all-time high” employment of 58,777, and exports of about $900-million yearly.
Anticipating his possible replacement by the Aquino administration, Clark Development Corp. president and chief executive officer Benigno Ricafort listed these as among his top accomplishments under the eight-point agenda he established when he took over his post in August, 2008.
The investments, employment and exports performance was classified in his virtual valedictory report as “achieved”.
The state-owned CDC runs some 2,500 hectares of this freeport, with another 2,500 hectares – devoted mostly to an aviation complex accommodating the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) – being under the Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC).
Some sectors have batted for the retention of Ricafort, an appointee of former Pres. Arroyo, but members of the business community in Central Luzon said they expected Pres. Aquino to appoint somebody from his Tarlac home province to replace him.
Among those reportedly being considered is retired international banker Benito Gonzalez who earlier junked the post as president of the Development Bank of the Philippines.
In his report titled “Expanding Development, Changing Lives”, Ricafort also cited infrastructure projects worth P873.7 million either completed or bided out for construction, the signing of a “financial advisory services agreement” on bulk water study to cope with the future demand for water in Clark, the approval of Clark-Subic “telecom connectivity”, and a agreement for the establishment of solar and renewable energy projects.
Ricafort noted that “Clark remains a major contributor to the region’s economic figures this year.” He noted that Clark’s exports worth $890.9-million “comprise 33 percent of Central Luzon’s $2.7 billion exports since 2009.”
“The record 58,777 employment by the end of 2009 complemented the entire region’s 3.8 million partial count of employment for the year,” he also noted.
Ricafort also noted that the P6.3-billion in actual investments now at Clark “is an impressive 19 percent of the region’s investment figure of P33.8-billion.”
He said that despite the global economic slowdown, “the CDC has proven its resiliency and competitiveness in its decision to redefine its goals, build-up more productive areas of collaboration with its stakeholders, develop more efficient processes and enhance internal capability.”
Ricafort has also been credited for institutionalizing the CDC Awards for Most Outstanding Locators to encourage performance as well as better awareness of and adherence to labor and environmental laws.
His report also listed other accomplishments under his other seven of eight-point agenda, including participative management concept, parallel development program (with surrounding communities), pro-active coordination with the CIAC, Clark-Subic synergy, tourism development, strengthening of “after sales” support services to investors and corporate social responsibility (CSR).
Ricafort said CDC was able to pursue CSR with the Kapampangan Development Foundation (KDF) whose chairman is business tycoon Manuel Pangilinan.
Ricafort is the president of the foundation which continues to undertake health, education, and livelihood projects in Pampanga.
In its report, KDF said it has already provided either prosthesis or artificial legs or wheelchairs to 397 beneficiaries, surgeries for 423 harelip and cleft palate victims and more surgeries for 615 cataract and pterygium victims in Pampanga in the last two years.
Anticipating his possible replacement by the Aquino administration, Clark Development Corp. president and chief executive officer Benigno Ricafort listed these as among his top accomplishments under the eight-point agenda he established when he took over his post in August, 2008.
The investments, employment and exports performance was classified in his virtual valedictory report as “achieved”.
The state-owned CDC runs some 2,500 hectares of this freeport, with another 2,500 hectares – devoted mostly to an aviation complex accommodating the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) – being under the Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC).
Some sectors have batted for the retention of Ricafort, an appointee of former Pres. Arroyo, but members of the business community in Central Luzon said they expected Pres. Aquino to appoint somebody from his Tarlac home province to replace him.
Among those reportedly being considered is retired international banker Benito Gonzalez who earlier junked the post as president of the Development Bank of the Philippines.
In his report titled “Expanding Development, Changing Lives”, Ricafort also cited infrastructure projects worth P873.7 million either completed or bided out for construction, the signing of a “financial advisory services agreement” on bulk water study to cope with the future demand for water in Clark, the approval of Clark-Subic “telecom connectivity”, and a agreement for the establishment of solar and renewable energy projects.
Ricafort noted that “Clark remains a major contributor to the region’s economic figures this year.” He noted that Clark’s exports worth $890.9-million “comprise 33 percent of Central Luzon’s $2.7 billion exports since 2009.”
“The record 58,777 employment by the end of 2009 complemented the entire region’s 3.8 million partial count of employment for the year,” he also noted.
Ricafort also noted that the P6.3-billion in actual investments now at Clark “is an impressive 19 percent of the region’s investment figure of P33.8-billion.”
He said that despite the global economic slowdown, “the CDC has proven its resiliency and competitiveness in its decision to redefine its goals, build-up more productive areas of collaboration with its stakeholders, develop more efficient processes and enhance internal capability.”
Ricafort has also been credited for institutionalizing the CDC Awards for Most Outstanding Locators to encourage performance as well as better awareness of and adherence to labor and environmental laws.
His report also listed other accomplishments under his other seven of eight-point agenda, including participative management concept, parallel development program (with surrounding communities), pro-active coordination with the CIAC, Clark-Subic synergy, tourism development, strengthening of “after sales” support services to investors and corporate social responsibility (CSR).
Ricafort said CDC was able to pursue CSR with the Kapampangan Development Foundation (KDF) whose chairman is business tycoon Manuel Pangilinan.
Ricafort is the president of the foundation which continues to undertake health, education, and livelihood projects in Pampanga.
In its report, KDF said it has already provided either prosthesis or artificial legs or wheelchairs to 397 beneficiaries, surgeries for 423 harelip and cleft palate victims and more surgeries for 615 cataract and pterygium victims in Pampanga in the last two years.
