MANILA — Clark Freeport exceeded its investment targets, securing a substantial P44.5 billion, within the first quarter of this year.
Clark Development Corp. president and CEO Atty. Agnes VST Devanadera attributed the achievement to the dynamic investment climate in Clark under the well-defined vision and direction of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration.
Devanadera made the presentation before Secretary Frederick Go, the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs, at a recent meeting held at the Heroes Hall in Malacañan.
She said the investments are direct leases with CDC and align with the priorities set by Secretary Go’s office in the national government, covering various sectors such as renewable energy, tourism, semiconductors, electronics, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, green minerals, food and agriculture, and steel.
Go expressed gratitude to investors during the meeting for their continued interest in investing in the Philippines.
“On behalf of the national government and the country, thank you for your continued interest in investing in the Philippines, particularly in Clark,” he said. “Whenever I talk to investors in the Philippines, I always advocate for the Clark area, especially for highly urbanized or highly commercialized forms of investment, because I believe it is the best location for them to enter,” added Go.
The investments consist of expansion projects by existing locators and investments from new ones, to be infused this year and spread over phases as specified in their respective contracts with CDC.
Among the investors who participated in the meeting with Go were foreign investors, namely: Donggwang Clark Corp., a developer of tourism and leisure estates which will infuse additional P20 billion; BB International Leisure and Resort Development Corp., a developer of integrated resort and water theme park facilities which has committed additional investment of P15 billion; and DeviceDesign Philippines Corp., a company in electronics manufacturing, allotting P103 million investment for their expansion plans.
In addition, Yokohama Tire Philippines, Inc. will infuse an additional investment of P3.5 billion to expand manufacturing operations and daily output capacity within the freeport.
Local investors, including Clark Water Corp., are earmarking P5.56 billion for service improvement projects. The Philippine Exporter Foundation Region III Inc. is investing P30.6 million in a lifestyle showroom and pasalubong center. Companies committing investments included Habibia Corp. (P22 million), JBW Floor Center Inc. (P5.8 million), Otonari Food OPC (P40 million), and Nationstar Development Corp. (P126.95 million) that contribute to the diverse business landscape driving the growth of the freeport.
With these investments and expansions, Clark anticipates adding 5,833 employees to its workforce, boosting employment opportunities in the region.
Development projects, including President Marcos Jr.’s legacy projects such as the Clark Multi-Specialty Medical Center (CMSMC) and the National Museum of the Philippines for North and Central Luzon, are currently in progress within the freeport.
Meanwhile, the upcoming completion of the North-South Commuter Railway will link the Freeport to other business districts in the country, boosting Clark’s potential and creating new opportunities for business and tourism.
