Palafox aired recently this view as he presented before local officials, business and other multi-sectoral leaders in this province his plan for a Pampanga Megalopolis “towards a vision for the Pampanga growth triangle.”
In his presentation, which was commissioned by Gov. Lilia Pineda and former president Rep. Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo, Palafox said his plans included accommodating a national government center, including a Malacanang Palace at Clark.
He said “Malacanang is no longer safe.”
“The road to Malacanang is so congested and traffic-clogged that ambassadors are caught in traffic and exposed to ambush or kidnapping,” Palafox said.
“We can build three Singapores in Pampanga and it can accommodate 50 million people,” he said.
Pampanga’s growth triangle, he said, covers the San Fernando and Lubao development corridor, towards the gateway to Subic and Bataan, and the Clark and Angeles growth area.
Palafox said that urban growth centers outside Metro Manila would solve the metropolis’ problems, such as traffic congestion, housing shortage, flooding, disaster vulnerability, rapid in-migration, and other such problems.
He stressed the need for other major airports in Luzon, including Clark and another in Batangas or Cavite.
Palafox noted that the success of Singapore, Hong Kong, and Dubai were brought about by the efficiency of their airports and seaports. He said the capacity of Subic seaport and Clark airport could be maximized to transform Central Luzon into a major gateway for business fl ow.
