CILA executives with keynote speaker CDC BDEG vice president Eva Tejada (4th from right). Photo by Joann Valenciano
CLARK FREEPORT — The Clark Investors and Locators Association (CILA) held its 4th quarter general membership meeting and annual election of its board of directors (BOD) on Wednesday at the Quest Plus Conference Center here.
Elected were BB International Leisure and Resort Development Corp. president Dr. Irineo “Bong” Alvaro, Amerton Inc. executive Leda Rodriguez, The Medical City-Clark Inc. communications officer Evelyn Yumul, Cargohaus Inc. official Darwin Malinit, Yokohama Tire Philippines Inc. president Kobayashi Hitoshi, and Sycip, Gorres, Velayo (SGV) & Co. representative Joselito Pepito “Peps” Zabat.
Alvaro expressed his excitement towards the current developments in this freeport during his welcome remarks as he also mentioned his optimism amidst the issues surrounding business development.
“We are very much inclined to concur with all optimism in Clark, given the efforts of government to spur development here,” he said.
“Some say that the epicenter of the flagship projects under the Build, Build, Build program of government, said to be the backbone of the Philippine economic growth, undoubtedly is in Clark.”
Evangeline Tejada, Clark Development Corp. (CDC) business development and enhancement group vice president, presented insightful updates on the ongoing developments in this freeport.
Tejada said CDC already has a total of 1,123 locators with 135,000 workers as of September 2019. Among CDC’s top exporters are SFA Semicon, Texas Instruments, and Nanox Philippines.
The Clark International Airport currently has 18 international and 27 domestic destinations. According to Tejada, an underground railway is also part of the development program in this freeport that will lead to Terminal 2.
“The train that will be coming from Manila will end across the Clark airport Terminal 2 underground,” Tejada said.
According to Tejada, plans to develop sports events and tourism activities such as bike lanes and the Clark Safari are making good progress as well as accommodations, hotels and other facilities that are currently being constructed in Clark.
“We want Clark to be a MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions) destination. Given the airport that we have now and for us to be considered a MICE destination, the first thing that we do is to have available accommodations. Initially we are targeting 5,000 room accommodations,” Tejada said
“But from the contracts that we have signed, we are very confident that we can have 7,000 by the end of 2022,” Tejada added.
CDC’s plan to have seven districts was also presented. Among these seven districts are the northern gateway district, the southern gateway district, the industrial district, Dolores river front development, Smart city, Stotsenberg central park and the civic center lifestyle and leisure district.
Each district intends to capitalize on various opportunities as the goal is to have inclusive growth, sustainable development and progress for this freeport as a premier economic hub, Tejada said.
Meanwhile, CILA also inducted 13 new members during the general meeting. CILA currently has a total of 273 locators in this freeport.
