Gov’t to develop Subic-Clark corridor into economic hub

Darwin Amojelar – Manila Times

The government will craft a long-term masterplan to develop the areas in the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) into an economic and Development Authority said.

Acting Socioeconomic Planning Secretary and NEDA Chief Augusto B. Santos said the government plans to spend about $2.5 million for the masterplan to develop the areas spanning 50.5 kilometers within Subic and Clark Expressway.

Santos said the masterplan for the Subic-Clark corridor to be implemented by the Subic-Clark Alliance for Development Council (SCADC) may take two years to complete with funding from government or foreign donors.

“For that kind of developments we have foreign experience,” he said adding the estimated cost would depend in the result of the bidding for the project.

Santos said the government targets to generate an estimated investment of P400 billion in the development of the Subic-Clark corridor.

He said core of the masterplan s to develop an export processing zone and industrial park with residential, retail and commercial components. “We want it [Subic-Clark Corridor] to be a self-contained community,” he said.

The SCTEX is a 93.77 kilometer, four-lane expressway that runs from the Subic Bay Freeport Zone in Zambales to the Central Techno Park in Tarlac City, Tarlac. It runs through the interchange with North Luzon Expressway (NLex) near the Clark Special Economic Zone in Angeles City, Pampanga.

The road is intended to provide an alternative route and shorter travel time leading to the two economics zones.

The P27.40-billion project started in April 2005 and was completed this month. The SCTEX is a flagship project of the Arroyo administration intended to transform Central and Northern Luzon into a super region. It is expected to create wider opportunities for investment, trade and employment in Central Luzon and adjoining regions.