Through the transportation-centered infrastructure projects of the national government, the CDC is aiming to further improve the domestic accessibility of Clark with the targeted construction of an integrated railway system that will traverse from Calamba in Laguna to Clark in Pampanga.
President Devanadara meanwhile noted that the first phase of the said railway project will be operated from Metro Manila to Clark, which is expected to benefit tourists from the urban cities who want to access the international airport or explore the local tourism spots of the freeport zone.
Among the other tourism products of Clark, aside from industrial parks, include 4,007 hotel accommodations, 151 dining establishments, 102 convention centers, 14 wellness facilities, 10 sports facilities, as well as a range of casino sites, shopping establishments, and medical facilities. The CDC is also planning to transform the freeport zone into a motorcycle hub relative to the high volume of riders who visit the area for leisure.
On the other hand, the CDC expressed its commitment to facilitate more investment opportunities in Clark by establishing an online one-stop shop which is already set to launch in September 2023.
“The Clark Development Corporation is transforming itself from a regulator to an enabler,” Devanadera added.
This initiative will primarily focus on the delivery of automated business processes such as the implementation of electronic trade permit application and business account registry system in accordance with the Ease of Doing Business (EODB) law.
In addition, the CDC is currently developing a business interdependence community to encourage trades between locators who manufacture products within the freeport zone. The corporation is also actively fostering interagency collaborations to maintain the ecological balance through the Metro Clark Advisory Council.
To strengthen its manpower registry, the corporation is closely working with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for the provision of investor-driven and locator-identified training programs.
To date, the CDC is able to generate 5.57 billion USD in investments and 2.63 billion USD in exports through its 1,137 locators as of June 2023.
It can be recalled that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. conducted a site inspection of the soon-to-be built Clark Multi-Specialty Medical Center last July which will have its own functioning heart, kidney, and children’s center as well as cancer and trauma institute.
The funding for the said project will be sourced through the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) pledges of casinos in Clark which underscores partnership between the government and the private sector.
The Solaire Resort and Casino reportedly allotted P500 million for the construction of the integrated medical center. (PIA-NCR)
