I was very thankful to be invited as one of the media panelists in the Clark-Subic joint forum, which was televised through a local cable in Zambales recently. We were eight from the media while Subic Clark Alliance Development Council Chairman Secretary Edgardo Pamintuan, Clark Development Corp. (CDC) Pres. Benigno Ricafort and SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza completed the government panel.
The joint TV forum was intended to inform viewers in the Subic-Clark corridor on what is happening in this part of region in relation to the development plans and programs of the Arroyo administration.
Of course, I haven’t heard Sec. Pamintuan for quite sometime so I really waited for his spiel on the current activities of SCAD. Although he has a syndicated column in the local papers, I’d rather hear it straight from the man.
Good to know though that the national government is doing its tasks in preparing the Subic-Clark communities for the eventual economic spillover brought by the two giant Freeport zones. During the forum, Pamintuan said they are now completing the comprehensive land use development plan for the whole corridor.
He said SCAD has been conducting orientations to local government leaders, as well as to the concerned agencies. Aside from the SCAD activities, he added that relocation is also a top priority of the Arroyo government for the locals who will be affected by Northrail.
Although the secretary fell short of his projection that Northrail will start construction 45 days after his assumption as its chairman, still it is positive news to learn that they are doing something for the relocation of affected families. Pamintuan also assured everyone that the development programs of the administration will go beyond the 2010 elections. He said they are working on a long-term projection, ensuring that the people will reap the benefits of these projects even after the national elections.
Meanwhile, Arreza was very calm and composed when asked about the current issues on Hanjin, Subic’s biggest investor so far with at least 20,000 workers. Arreza said Subic is now looking into expansion of investments outside the Freeport zone, adding that Olongapo is very much interested in discussing partnerships with Subic. He also said that Subic is targeting $5 billion investments by the end of the year.
At the Clark Development Corporation, Ricafort gave an overview of what they have been doing in the sub-zone or the Next Frontier. He cited the successful joint management agreement with the Aeta communities in the area and the ongoing tourism-related projects at the Next Frontier. These include Philippine Tourism Authority’s 20-hectare wakeboarding resort and leisure park.
Ricafort also said that they are busy preparing the necessary policies and long-term mechanisms for the master development plan of the Next Frontier. Just recently, CDC and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOU) for the administration of tax incentives in the Clark Special Economic Zone (CSEZ).
Ricafort said that with the signing of the MOA, the CDC becomes the administrative governing authority of the CSEZ and assumes the following tasks:
Identify and develop areas, and enter into lease agreements with locators in the CSEZ;
Provide PEZA with an approved comprehensive land use and zoning plan of the CSEZ;
Provide the necessary utility requirements in the CSEZ, inclusive of the following: power, water, telecommunications, wastewater treatment facilities, etc.; Screen and endorse to PEZA applications of locators in the CSEZ wanting to avail of PEZA incentives; Endorse to PEZA all applications for building permits, fire and safety permits, sanitary permits and environment permits of enterprises in the CSEZ; and
Resolve issues/claims on property ownership before registration as developer/operator entitled to incentives.
The joint TV forum was intended to inform viewers in the Subic-Clark corridor on what is happening in this part of region in relation to the development plans and programs of the Arroyo administration.
Of course, I haven’t heard Sec. Pamintuan for quite sometime so I really waited for his spiel on the current activities of SCAD. Although he has a syndicated column in the local papers, I’d rather hear it straight from the man.
Good to know though that the national government is doing its tasks in preparing the Subic-Clark communities for the eventual economic spillover brought by the two giant Freeport zones. During the forum, Pamintuan said they are now completing the comprehensive land use development plan for the whole corridor.
He said SCAD has been conducting orientations to local government leaders, as well as to the concerned agencies. Aside from the SCAD activities, he added that relocation is also a top priority of the Arroyo government for the locals who will be affected by Northrail.
Although the secretary fell short of his projection that Northrail will start construction 45 days after his assumption as its chairman, still it is positive news to learn that they are doing something for the relocation of affected families. Pamintuan also assured everyone that the development programs of the administration will go beyond the 2010 elections. He said they are working on a long-term projection, ensuring that the people will reap the benefits of these projects even after the national elections.
Meanwhile, Arreza was very calm and composed when asked about the current issues on Hanjin, Subic’s biggest investor so far with at least 20,000 workers. Arreza said Subic is now looking into expansion of investments outside the Freeport zone, adding that Olongapo is very much interested in discussing partnerships with Subic. He also said that Subic is targeting $5 billion investments by the end of the year.
At the Clark Development Corporation, Ricafort gave an overview of what they have been doing in the sub-zone or the Next Frontier. He cited the successful joint management agreement with the Aeta communities in the area and the ongoing tourism-related projects at the Next Frontier. These include Philippine Tourism Authority’s 20-hectare wakeboarding resort and leisure park.
Ricafort also said that they are busy preparing the necessary policies and long-term mechanisms for the master development plan of the Next Frontier. Just recently, CDC and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOU) for the administration of tax incentives in the Clark Special Economic Zone (CSEZ).
Ricafort said that with the signing of the MOA, the CDC becomes the administrative governing authority of the CSEZ and assumes the following tasks:
Identify and develop areas, and enter into lease agreements with locators in the CSEZ;
Provide PEZA with an approved comprehensive land use and zoning plan of the CSEZ;
Provide the necessary utility requirements in the CSEZ, inclusive of the following: power, water, telecommunications, wastewater treatment facilities, etc.; Screen and endorse to PEZA applications of locators in the CSEZ wanting to avail of PEZA incentives; Endorse to PEZA all applications for building permits, fire and safety permits, sanitary permits and environment permits of enterprises in the CSEZ; and
Resolve issues/claims on property ownership before registration as developer/operator entitled to incentives.
