Gordon bill on Subic, Clark gains support

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT -- A proposal made by Senator Richard Gordon allowing the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) to expand their horizons by developing neighboring areas has gained momentum during committee deliberations last Wednesday.

Gordon, who heads the Senate Committee on Government Corporations and Public Enterprises, received assurances from national government agencies, government corporations and local government units (LGUs) that they would support development thrusts in the Subic-Clark growth corridor as envisioned in Gordon’s bill.

The agencies included SBMA and CDC, Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), Department of Finance (DoF), and the Philippine National Railways (PNR).

Representatives from the provincial governments of Zambales and Bataan likewise attended the hearing and expressed support for the proposal.

According to Gordon, Senate Bill No. 143 seeks to maximize the vision of the Subic-Clark growth corridor to decongest Manila and open up more livelihood opportunities in areas between the Subic, Clark and Manila, as well as along the 94-kilometer Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx). By JONAS REYES - Manila Bulletin