For Lawyer Felipe Antonio Buscato Remollo, Clark’s corporate and physical transformation is beyond presenting blueprints and plans, but rather setting the right direction and bringing the right people into it.
Remollo, the 10th president and chief executive officer of Clark Development Corporation, has changed the bad image of the government-owned and controlled corporation from a mere “milking cow” of some greedy executives into a potential premier investment spot with a “unique, recognizable name”, and a promising sports tourism destination.
It was only under his leadership that Manila-based taipans like Andrew Tan of MegaWorld Corp., the Ayalas though Manila Water and the Gokongweis entered and showed interest to invest billions of pesos in various projects inside the Clark Freeport Zone.
Tan recently signed a memorandum of agreement with CDC executives for the construction of a P7-billion mixed-use complex for Business Process Outsourcing firms.
Ayala’s Manila Water now has full control of Clark Water and intends to acquire Mimosa Golf and Country Club.
One of Remollo’s flagship projects that also caught Ayala Land’s interest is the Clark Highlands Development Program.
It involves the clearing up and site development of more than 3,000 hectares of land for the establishment of technology parks and estates. He says “alternative schemes such as public-private partnership, joint ventures in the financing, implementation and management of these projects will be fully explored.”
In partnership with Canada-based CAE, Inc., Cebu Pacific Air’s $43-million aviation training center inside the Freeport Zone is also expected to operate within the third quarter of 2012.
“The taipans are here not just in plans. They’re actually here,” says Remollo whose seven-month old administration also generated 45 new projects, seven expansions and 65 renewals that translate into P4.94-billion investments.
Records from CDC showed that Clark Freeport now hosts P113.9-billion worth of investments, a significant jump from P39.7 billion in 2006. As of October 2011, firms in the Freeport have exported some $1.6-billion worth of products since last January 2011.
SPORTS TOURISM
Aside from bringing in more investors to the Freeport, Remollo also leaves the national government no choice but to develop and fully operate the Clark International Airport (CIA) as the country’s premier airport.
Keen on building a world class, well-maintained sports complex/facility, the former Dumaguete mayor sees sports tourism as a way to open the “gates” of Clark to the whole country and to the world – a venue for holding almost all sports events and competitions like baseball, softball, football, paintball, table tennis, taekwondo, athletics, golf, 4X4 challenge, duathlon, marathon, cycling, swimming and even boxing matches.
Recently, more than 20 local and international teams from Iran, Malaysia, and Brunei joined the 2nd Leg of the Paintball Asia League at Clark, which has been hosting the event since 2010.
CDC also partnered with Selracho Management and Consultancy Services in holding the 1st Sports Tourism Summit at the Holiday Inn Clark.
Remollo says Clark STAR (Sports Tourism, Amusement and Recreation), another flagship project, will also cater to the needs of athletes especially members of the Philippine team.
“It’s the key to win the first Olympic gold medal for the Philippines,” says Remollo.
MORE INVESTMENTS
Under Remollo’s leadership, various firms in Clark vowed to invest more and expand their operations in the coming years.
Yokohama Tire Philippines, Inc. announced that it will infuse P14.62 billion to expand its manufacturing facility.
From 7 million tires a year, it will be able to produce 17 million tires by 2017, which means that it will need additional 3,000 workers for its operations.
Other companies who are expected to infuse additional investments for their expansion include SPT (PHIL.) Clark Corp. (precision tools), Jamco Philippines, Inc. (aircraft parts and equipment), AT Steel Co., Inc. (steel sheets/coils and structural steel products-beams, plates, channels, angels), Best Joint Group Venture (fusion restaurant), United Asia Automotive Group Inc. (Foton vehicles) and Ingasco, Inc. (air separation plant).
Governor Lilia “Baby” Pineda has also allotted an initial P5 million for the establishment of a “Pampanga Market-Market”. It aims to promote a specific product or service that is unique to each town of Pampanga.
With all the programs, projects and plans properly implemented, Remollo’s dream of making Clark Freeport Zone as the next Singapore six years from now would soon become a reality.
