CLARK FREEPORT – Third-termer Concepcion Mayor Andy Lacson is now mulling cityhood for his first-class municipality considered as the premiere town in Tarlac province.
Lacson said with the entry of Steel Asia, Concepcion would easily become a city as he disclosed that the income requirement is all that is needed for cityhood.
He said the company will be investing P20 billion for its 80-hectare plant in Barangay Telabangka.
Lacson was guest of the media forum “Balitaan” organized by the Capampangan in Media, Inc. (CAMI) in cooperation with the Clark Development Corp. (CDC) at the Bale Balita here last Friday.
He said Steel Asia, which is similar to the Davao plant, will be the biggest investment in Concepcion but sadly, it was politicized earlier.
Lacson said his political opponents were able to block its entry for two years thinking that he will lose in the last elections but fortunately, he won based on his performance as mayor.
He said barring any unforeseen circumstances, Steel Asia will break ground before the end of the year.
Lacson explained that with P120 million business tax revenue and 6,000 available employment plus its multiplier effect, the investment will help boost Concepcion’s chances for cityhood.
Lacson said for his last term, he will give priority to education with the establishment of the Tarlac State University (TSU) campus in the municipality that will be fully funded by the local government unit.
He also said Concepcion will have a shared health service facility with the provincial government as it will off er free hospitalization at the soon to open Concepcion District Hospital in Barangay Alfonso which will be a tertiary, 150-bed capacity hospital.
“We have word from the governor that it will be formally opened next year,” he said.
Meanwhile, Lacson said Solar Philippines will establish the biggest solar farm in the country located in barangays Sta. Rosa and San Agustin on a 80-hectare lot.
He also said Sindicatum, formerly Infinity, has a 40-hectare solar plant in the area as well as Aboitiz which has acquired a 48-hectare property.
“We will have three solar farm plants occupying about 168 hectares,” he said.
Lacson said the solar farms are located near The Voice of America facility “which is on a hilly portion as it is a very ideal penetration of the sun. “There are no trees. It’s too hot there,” he said.
Lacson said it is also located at the edge of electric grid for its ideal location.
The mayor said about 900 workers will be hired and the LGU will have a percentage from the power generated.
Lacson said Concepcion only had P93 million budget when he first got elected as mayor but now it has P650 million for 2019.
He said they are now negotiating with the Bases Conversion Development Authority for an exit of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway in Barangay Sta. Ines where they plan to locate the LGU’s special economic zone of about 700 hectares.
