Refurbished golf course to revive Subic airport

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — Subic Golf Course operator Hanafil Golf and Tour Inc. will revive the Subic Bay International Airport by bringing in more foreign golfers once the golfing facility is finished.

The company plans to resume its junket flights after golf course stakeholder Hanatour, South Korea’s largest tourism company, pledged to bring in tourists directly to Subic.

“We are planning to use the SBIA and a partner airline company with low cost fares to bring in more golfers from other countries. The golf course was designed to handle 180 golfers a day, and that number will expand once we add nine more holes in the next phase of the development,” Hanafil President and CEO Benjamin John Defensor III said.

Currently, the company has completed 40 percent of the reconstruction process for the course.

“That includes the reshaping of the greens and fairways of the first nine holes to make it flow better,” Defensor said.

“Current improvements are the eco-friendly irrigation system that uses recycled water, brand new nursery that can use salt water and the drainage system that was replaced to accommodate the volume of rainfall come this rainy season.”

“But these renovations are not just for new members; the company is also accommodating all previous members of the golf club as long as they update their accounts and coordinate with us and the SBMA (Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority),” Defensor said.

An agreement was signed recently between the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and the SBMA and Clark Development Corporation (CDC) that would allow visa-free entry to foreigners visiting the two free ports.

Under the agreement signed by Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan with SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza and CDC President Benigno Ricafort, officers and personnel of foreign locators in the two free ports may now enter and stay in the country without a visa for a period of 14 days.

The privilege, however, will only be extended to those arriving through the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) or the SBIA. By JONAS REYES - mb.com.ph

Clark locators offer over 3,000 jobs

The Clark Development Corporation (CDC) Monday announced that 14 big locators here are offering 3,255 job opportunities which they intend to fill up before Christmas Eve.

CDC President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Benigno N. Ricafort said that despite the economic crisis, employment opportunities inside the freeport zone continue to increase as business operations continue to expand. In fact, by 2010, 3,000 new jobs will be opened.

The job opportunities will prioritize landslide and flood-stricken families from Pampanga and others areas in Luzon.

“To address the effects of the world financial crisis, the CDC is working hand-in-hand with its locators and investors through the continuous holding of dialogue. Because of these regular consultations with Clark stakeholders we continue to improve our services,” Ricafort said.

“One major advantage of Clark is its freeport status, plus the special economic zone at the Sacobia Valley giving investors a low five-percent tax rate,” Ricafort said.

CDC Public Relations Manager Angelo “Sonny” Lopez said the state-run corporation has a total number of 434 operational companies, with a committed new investment of P36.51 billion.

It was learned that actual investment at CDC have already reached a total P68.63 billion, mostly from firm involving industrial, garments manufacturing, tourism, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), electronics, and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industries, Lopez said.

Ricafort has also cited Clark’s proximity to Subic and the presence of infrastructure and facilities like the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) and the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) as advantages amid the financial crisis. By FRANCO G. REGALA - Manila Bulletin

Gordon: Avoid disaster, spread development

In his desire to decongest Metro Manila, Senator Richard Gordon called for the development of Central Luzon that would also help reduce the impact of calamities in the metropolis.

To pave the way for the development of Central Luzon, Gordon authored Senate Bill 143 or the Luzon Global Corridor Act which aims to strengthen and expand the powers of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and the Clark Development Corporation (CDC).

Expanding the powers of SBMA and CDC will allow them to develop other special economic zones in Luzon to optimize the utilization of the three airports in Subic, Clark, and Manila; two seaports in Subic and Manila, and one connecting highway – the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX).

“Metro Manila is overcrowded. The real disaster is the human disaster, because we do not know how to cope with the cycles of nature anymore. This will become even worse when the impact of climate change becomes stronger in the coming years,” Gordon emphasized.

He said one key part on solving this problem is to spread opportunities outside of Metro Manila to decongest the city while solving poverty in the provinces. When a person is able to stand on his or her own two feet, with an education and a job, then he or she will be empowered to deal with the crises of life. That’s real development, that’s real disaster prevention,” he added.

In filing the measure, Gordon has taken the first step in making his vision of making Luzon an industrial and education hub through the optimum utilization of the infrastructures in the area.

Clark sees boost in investments with less building restrictions

SOME P4 BILLION worth of investments are expected at the Clark free port in Pampanga once the granting of building expansion permits is simplified, thus creating more spaces for lease, a ranking official said last week.

Instead of having authorities set height clearances for each building near the free port’s airports, the Clark Development Corp. (CDC) wants maximum values assigned per area, CDC president Benigno N. Ricafort said.

Thirty-two buildings have applied for expansion, but will have to acquire height clearance permits first as the free port is home to the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport.

"What we want is buildings will not get permits one by one. Instead, a general height clearance should be given for specific areas," Mr. Ricafort said in Filipino in a telephone interview.

In March, the International Civil Aviation Organization studied what the limits should be and even considered the proposed third runway in computations, Mr. Ricafort said.

Meanwhile, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines has been tasked to draft new guidelines for processing height clearance permits.

"The final signed circulation and conditions will come out any time this October. We are coordinating with the [International Civil Aviation Organization]," said Mr. Ricafort.

Investment pledges committed to CDC reached P2.9 billion in the first half, up by 39.8% from the same period last year, official data showed.

The growth in Clark bucked the downtrend seen by other investment promotion agencies such as the Board of Investments, Philippine Economic Zone Authority, and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority. — Jessica Anne D. Hermosa - Business World

Online payments okayed for Clark, Subic locators

Locators at the Clark and Subic freeports will soon be able to pay for export and import fees online, the Clark Development Corp. said on Friday.

Under the second phase of the Electronic Transit and Admission Permit System’s (e-TAPS) implementation, firms will need to open e-accounts with Land Bank of the Philipines to pay permit fees and surety bonds starting in November.

"[Benefits of this system will be] the faceless transaction for processing of permits and the reduced operational cost of locators," the firm said in a statement.

Last year, state agencies behind the two freeports signed a memorandum of agreement with the Bureau of Customs to harmonize systems. The two freeports have been tagged in the government’s medium-term development plan as the country’s logistics hub.

HARMONIZATION

HARMONIZATION. Officials of the Clark and Subic Freeports and Bureau of Customs signify solidarity during the signing of Joint Memorandum Order on Automated Transit, Admission and Declaration Cargo at the OTS Conference Room of the Clark Development Corp. (CDC). From left are CDC president Benigno Ricafort, BOC commissioner Napoleon Morales, SCADC chairman Edgardo Pamintuan, and SBMA administrator Armand Arreza.

--Manila Bulletin

Clark SCTEX interchange opens today

It’s all systems go for Sunday's opening of the Clark South Interchange, the second of four additional service structures of the 93.7-kilometer Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) announced Saturday.

Last Dec. 23, the government-run BCDA opened the Clark North Interchange that provides direct access from SCTEX to Clark, and vice versa. It is connected to the 3.8-kilometer Panday Pira access road, which leads to the northern area of the Clark Freeport Zone.

The remaining two SCTEX interchanges — one each in Porac and Floridablanca towns in Pampanga — are due for completion by mid-2009.

With the completion of the North and South interchanges already in place, access to the 93.7 kilometer SCTEX connecting three key economic zones in Luzon — Subic Bay Freeport in Olongapo City, Clark Freeport in Angeles City and the Central Techno Park in La Paz, Tarlac — has become much easier and faster.

The Clark South Interchange will serve as the entry and exit points to and from the main zone of the Clark Freeport Zone and the SCTEX. The main zone of the Clark Freeport Zone comprises some 4,000 hectares where the Clark Development Corporation (CDC), Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) and Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) are located.

Interconnection of phone lines in Subic, Clark backed

CLARK FREEPORT -- The Angeles City council has endorsed a proposal for the interconnection of phone lines along the Subic-Clark growth corridor in a resolution unanimously approved by its members last Tuesday.

In the resolution sponsored by Councilors Jesus "Jay" Sangil and Ruben Maniago, the members of the city council stated they are "endorsing the move of the Metro Clark Advisory Council (MCAC) to press for the immediate interconnection of telecommunications facilities in Clark Freeport Zone with those in Tarlac and Zambales."

"It would definitely fast-track business undertakings and greatly minimize costs to local residents," Sangil said, referring to the MCAC-initiated project which was earlier lauded by President Arroyo. Sangil likewise called on other officials of local government units (LGUs) situated along the Subic-Clark corridor to support the move, saying this will attract investors and provide jobs for the people.

"I am urging our counterparts in government in the cities, towns along the SCTEx to follow suit and support the same as it will invite investors and eventually create employment for our constituents," Sangil said.

In the resolution, the city council stated that the "Clark Freeport and the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Growth Corridor are foreseen as one of the world’s major economic hubs and catalysts for development, hence a major employment generator in North Philippines."

Also, "the development and improvement of infrastructure facilities, including the establishment of state-of-the art telecommunications facilities in the Metro Clark Area (Clark FZ, Pampanga and Tarlac) enhance the viability of the Metro Clark area as a choice investment destination."

The city council noted the importance of providing interconnected telephone exchanges, saying it "is vital in minimizing costs to investors and their clientele that includes government offices."

"Interconnecting telephone exchanges in Metro Clark Area is in keeping with the integration policy of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) in which long distance and other toll charges are waived," the resolution also said.

"The general welfare clause of the Local Government Code, among other provisions, obliges us to support moves of major employment generators," it further stated.

In December 2008, President Arroyo bestowed an award on Clark officials led by Clark Development Corp. (CDC) President Benigno N. Ricafort for the telecommunications interconnection project that was one of the top 10 winners in the 1st Gawad Pampublikong Korporasyon (1st GPK).

Ricafort said CDC’s winning entry, which was conceived in 2001, aims to interconnect Clark’s telephone lines to Angeles City and the City of San Fernando, as well as other areas in Pampanga.

He said that the interconnection project was an initiative of the MCAC, "an influential partnership group between the CDC and contingent LGUs within Metro Clark." By FRED ROXAS - Manila Bulletin

Subic, Clark to use SAD by December

FREE-port zones Subic Bay in Zambales and Clark Field in Pampanga will enforce a new ruling to all shippers starting in December, which would allow the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to receive data on all the shipments in advance.

By December 1, both economic zones in Central Luzon will only accept entries filed through the single administrative document (SAD), or the current import permit issued by Clark Development Corp. (CDC) and the admission permit issued by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).

The said document can only be received through the three value-added service providers of the BOC.

So far, however, Clark authorities has issued the green light to customs value-added service provider Intercommerce Network Service (INS), while SBMA has approved the dealings with E-Konek Pilipinas, a company run by former heads of the BOC.

Both companies have been accredited to provide such service in the two economic zones, which were former US military bases.

At the moment, INS and E-Konek are still testing their respective systems in the free-port zones.

The use of SAD is an offshoot of a joint memorandum signed by CDC, SBMA and the BOC for the single submission of the Transit-Admission Permit (T/AP).

Under the new procedure, SAD will be used in the filing and lodging of customs transshipment-warehousing IEIRD entry, Transshipment Permit (Form 199), carrier bond, boat note and IEIRD (Form 236), and bring-in permit issued by the Free Port Authority.

IEIRD stands for Import Entry Internal Revenue Declaration, a document used when goods enter the Philippines.

This simplifies the workflow and eliminates the physical validation of the data in CDC of the T/AP and the Customs IEIRD form.

As a result of the agreement between the free- port zone authorities and the BOC, all zone locators or its agents, as authorized by either CDC and SBMA will be allowed to lodge their T/AP applications electronically.

The new procedure also provides for the single submission of the T/AP acceptable to the BOC and the free ports.

The rules provide that the Freeport Zone Authority shall ensure the approved T/APs are forwarded to the BOC system electronically as soon as the transaction is authorized or at the end of office hours each day.

These include the cargo used at the zone, cargo transferred from the free-port zone to another and cargo transferred to customs territory or other economic zones.

The service provider, meanwhile, will provide the remote lodgment facilities for the preparation and lodgment of the T/AP to the free-port authorities, which shall be processed and approved with system- generated reference number.

The remaining customs service provider, CargoData Exchange Center, is still awaiting for the go signal from free-port authorities to operate in either of the two economic zones.

BOC is changing the way importers and exporters deal with the government by employing the services of value-added service providers, and changing the documents that have been used since the 1960s. Written by VG Cabuag - Business Mirror

Subic,Clark approve e-TAPS implementation

--Malaya

Subic and Clark authorities have approved the use of the Automated Transit Admission Permit System (e-TAPS) to ease trade flow in the two ports.

Officials of the Subic-Clark Alliance for Development Council (SCADC), Clark Development Corp., (CDC) and Subic Bay Freeport Authority (SBMA) signed the joint memorandum order for the implementation of the e-TAPS at the Clark International Airport Corp., (CIAC) Board Room.

The e-TAPS design intends to simplify procedures and accelerate approval time in the processing of applications for tax and duty-free importations of locators and enterprises.

SBMA Administrator and CEO Armand Arreza, SCADC chairman secretary Edgardo Pamintuan, and CDC president and CEO Benigno Ricafort signed the memorandum.

Customs accredited value-added service provider (VASP) Intercommerce Network Service (INS) provides the remote lodgment facilities for the preparation and lodgment of the Transit Admission Permit (TAP) to the Freeport Authorities. It will be processed and approved with system generated Freeport Zone Authority reference number.

The Freeport authority through INS shall approve the TAP and transmit the approved TAP with electronic signature and prescribed data through the National Single Window Program of the Bureau of Customs.

The new procedure allows the importer/broker to create the import entry / Transit Single-Administrative Document (SAD) using the approved TAP data. This simplifies the workflow, eliminate the physical validation of the data in CDC/TAP and the Customs IEIRD form.

Automated transit and cargo declaration at SBMA,Clark

By. Fred M. Roxas – Manila Bulletin

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga – The Clark Development Corp. (CDC), and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) have signed here with Taiwan a memorandum of agreement to establish an Automated Transit, Admission and Declaration of Cargo system at the CDC and SBMA.

The objective is to facilitate and harmonize customs systems and procedures in two Philippine economic zones and the Taiwan ecozone, according to Philippine officials.

The agreement is designed to ensure and integrated and coordinated aproach to the development of the Clark-Subic Economic Corridor as a competitive world-class logistics center in the Asia Pacific Region.

Pamintuan explained that the agreement mandates CDC and BCDA to adopt, prepare and implement comprehensive and detailed plans for the conversion of the former Clark and Subic military facilities and their extensions consistent with the plans and programs of the national and local governments.

One principal provision of the newly-signed agreement is to facilitate trade and business, increase the transparency in cargo processing, provide accurate, timely and cost-efficient exchange of information, reduce customs operational costs and enhance revenue collections, he said.

Ricafort to succeed Laus as CDC chief

CLARK FREEPORT -- The lobbying by different sectors and power brokers on who should sit at the helm of Clark Development Corporation (CDC) seems to be finally over.

Long-time CDC director Benigno Ricafort is set to succeed CDC president Liberato Laus, who will formally relinquish his post by the end of this month.

This was announced last Thursday by Subic Clark Alliance for Development Council (Scadc) Secretary Edgardo Pamintuan before the start of the forum on the Scadc Mega Logistics Hub at the Fontana Convention Center here.

Laus informed President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo about his intention to leave his post in a letter he submitted to Malacañang in May this year.

Laus cited as reason for leaving CDC his desire to go back to his business and steer his companies in the direction of the country's growing economy under the Arroyo administration.

Pamintuan said President Arroyo has chosen Ricafort based on his experience and understanding of the internal workings inside the Freeport Zone.

"His familiarity with the Freeport will greatly help in the way he will lead and how he would be making his decisions," Pamintuan added.

Ricafort, who is among the old-time CDC directors, has been serving the state-owned corporation for 15 years under its seven presidents. As director, he had continuous liaison with the Bases Conservation and Development Authority (BCDA) and had active participation in overseas and local investments and promotion for Clark.

Ricafort said he will try to put a "stronger community image" for this Freeport.

"We will be looking at our corporate responsibility towards our immediate community. Within Clark, we are looking on the Sub Zone as the next area for future development here," he said.

Ricafort also hailed the efforts and achievements of Laus.

"He (Laus) did a good job and has left his own mark at CDC. The challenges that we will face now would be different from his," Ricafort added.

Laus reportedly favors Ricafort to succeed him to ensure the continuity of his programs for the Freeport.

Educated in the field of business and economics, Ricafort received his Bachelor of Science, Major in Finance at the San Beda College and his Master of Business Administration at St. John's University in New York. He also completed advanced courses on international trade in Germany, Japan and the Netherlands.

As a community servant, Ricafort figured prominently as the president of the Kapampangan Development Foundation (KDF), an organization of Kapampangans based outside of the province. He pioneered social works like the Walking Free Pampanga with the mission of making the province's amputees mobile again. KDF has also launched various social services missions targeting Kapampangan indigents. Activities of the organization are mostly composite efforts of other organizations through his vast networks.

Ricafort is set to take the helm of CDC as its eighth president. SunStar

Samsung to build microchip plant in Clark

CLARK FREEPORT -- Global giant Samsung Electronics is investing US$1 billion in a 30-hectare lot at the Clark Special Economic Zone (sub-zone) after almost a year of intense courtship by the Philippine government to locate its microchip manufacturing facility in the country.

An official of the Subic Clark Alliance Development Council (SCADC) said Samsung, the only Asian conglomerate that made it as the world's largest chipmaker business, is expected to start construction within the year.

According to a SCADC official, the Board of Investments pursued the huge investments and brought the Korean chaebol first to Subic Bay but the Freeport has a limited area for the facility. As a result, the government offered the Clark ecozone, which Samsung appreciated.

The negotiation with Samsung lasted for about a year or just shortly after the official announcement by Texas Instruments, largest chipmaker for mobile phones, of its US$1 billion investments in Clark.

But the negotiation was further delayed because of the resignation of its chairman Lee Kun-Hee on US$113 million tax evasion charges.

At present, Samsung has two operations in the country -- Samsung Electronics Philippines Manufacturing Corporation (Sephil) and Samsung Electronics Philippines Corporation (Sepco).

Sephic, which is located in Calamba Premier International Park, produces optical disc drives for its global network. Sepco, on the other hand, is Samsung's local marketing arm for its finished products.

Samsung has also manufacturing operations in each of the Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries except Singapore, which hosts its regional headquarters.

The entry of Samsung in Clark will boost the ecozone as a hub for electronics chipmaking, the official said.

"This means the country can move upstream to design and manufacturing as opposed to the low value-added testing and packaging operations," the SCADC source said.

The presence of world's electronics giant makers in Clark also ushers in an integrated circuit manufacturing cluster in Clark.

Clark Development Corporation president Liberato Laus has already informed acting director Augusto Santos of the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) to approve the third phase of the 230-kilovolt Concepcion-Clark Power Transmission Project to finally convince Samsung to come in.

In September last year, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo issued an executive order for the implementation of the power transmission project to meet higher power demand brought about by the power sensitive-operation of the US-based Texas Instruments.

The National Transmission Corporation (Transco) and CDC agreed to implement two phases (Phase 1 and 2) of the project at a cost of P3 billion to meet the tight schedule for the commercial operation of Texas Instruments by August 2008.

Phase 3, on the other hand, aims to meet the power needs of future locators and covers the construction of a third 230-KV line with corresponding 230/69-KV substation transformers, 69-KV feeders and appurtenances.

The CDC said the last phase of the project is now crucial given the expansion of existing locators and the entry of new investors.

Initial power requirement of the planned Samsung project was placed at 36 megawatts by November 2008. SUNSTAR

President Arroyo regrets resignation of Laus from CDC

President Gloria Arroyo expressed regrets over the resignation of Clark Development Corp. (CDC) President and Chief Executive Officer Levy P. Laus from the state-owned firm.

Secretary Cerge Remonde of the Presidential Management Staff said the President was saddened by Laus’ decision that was conveyed in a letter sent to the President last month, which was coursed through him.

“The President recognizes Laus not only as valuable and irreplaceable ally but a close personal friend. She also realizes the challenge of replacing Laus at CDC considering his substantial achievements during his tenure,” Remonde said.

Remonde said the President would still tap Laus’ expertise and influence to serve the people in another capacity.

“We know he can and will continue to help the President in achieving growth and progress for the country, especially in the countryside,” he said.

In his letter to the President, Laus said his reason for leaving CDC is his desire to go back to his business and steer his companies in the direction of the country’s growing economy under the Arroyo Administration.

Laus is set to relinquish his CDC post on July 31 as he stated in his letter to the President.

“My decision to leave CDC is consistent with the timetable and objectives I set for myself when the President gave me the opportunity to serve her government and help contribute to her vision for the development and growth of Clark,” he said.

Under Laus, Clark was converted from a special economic zone to a freeport zone as investments rose to unprecedented level. Last year, Texas Instruments, one of the world’s biggest semiconductor firm, moved to Clark with an investment of $1 billion—one of the biggest single investments by any foreign firm in the country.

The President appointed Laus to the CDC in October 2006. Prior to this, the President also named him as a member of the board of directors of the Bases Conversion Development Authority and concurrently as director of the Fort Bonifacio Development Corp. and the Bataan Technology Park.

In 2005, he was also appointed commissioner to the Consultative Commission for the Revision of the Constitution. The President later conferred him with the Presidential Medal of Honor.

Laus, a leading businessman in Central Luzon, is the founder and chairman of the Laus Group whose core business is automotive dealership spread in a vast network from Metro Manila to Central and North Luzon.

His business organization, the Laus Group of Companies is currently undertaking several expansion projects, among them the opening of two car dealerships, Kia and Hyundai in Baliuag, Bulacan, next month and the inauguration of the Laus Group Holdings Inc. in August.

He is also the chairman of the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
-- Mark Louie P. Roxas - Manila Times

Clark free port head tenders resignation

CLARK FREEPORT—The president and chief executive officer of Clark Development Corp. has resigned from the state-owned agency.

Levy Laus said Monday he had written President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo informing her of his intention to relinquish the post.

“It’s a polite way of saying I’m going back to the private sector to be able to help her administration in that respect,” Laus told the Philippine Daily Inquirer (parent company of INQUIRER.net).

The resignation, which should take effect on July 31, has not yet been accepted by the President, who appointed Laus almost two years ago.

Laus was compelled to confirm his resignation after Pampanga Rep. Carmelo Lazatin broke the news ahead of an official announcement by the CDC. The CDC is embroiled in a dispute over lease rates with Lazatin who has a business project at the free port.

Laus said he had no issues with Lazatin or other extraneous reasons for leaving CDC.

“I want my companies to take advantage of the gains and growth of the economy under the President,” Laus said in a statement.

Laus’ 30-year-old business group, the Laus Group of Companies, is pursuing several expansion projects.

It was during Laus’ stint that Clark became a free port from a special economic zone. Under his leadership, investments grew by 600 percent, due in part to the drawing into CDC of the semiconductor giant Texas Instruments. By Tonette Orejas - Inquirer Central Luzon Desk

P1-B hotel, casino break ground at Clark

CLARK Freeport – The Clark Development Corp. said a P1-billion tourism-related establishment will rise inside the Clark Freeport.

Blue Bonnet Amusement Corp. held groundbreaking rites last Friday signaling the start of the construction of Saint Hiyan Hotel and Casino, said CDC executive vice president Philip Jose Panlilio.

Panlilio said the hotel and the casino will boost the potential of Clark as a magnet for tourism-related investments in Central Luzon.

He said it will also generate employment as att least 600 workers will be hired once it is fully operational.

Richard Kwon, chief executive officer of Blue Bonnet, said the company has done its best to build a casino and hotel here since 2007.

Kwon added that he is pleased to announce that the groundbreaking “has been the result of the support, kind contribution, and continuous efforts” of friends and partners like the CDC.

In December 2005, then CDC president Antonio Ng signed a lease agreement with Blue Bonnet for the P1-billion project. Bernard Galang Journal online

SCTEx opening seen to boost nat’l economy

CLARK FREEPORT — The government expects more benefits from the opening of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) as it will serve as a major development catalyst in northern Philippines, according to Clark Freeport executives during the 15th anniversary celebration of Clark Development Corp. (CDC).

CDC president Levy Laus said the economy will improve tremendously with the opening of the P27-billion SCTEx because of the accelerated movement of goods and persons.

"Clark is now closely linked with Subic and the industrial estates of Tarlac. Through the completion of the Subic-ClarkTarlac Expressway, the Subic Freeport is only 30 minutes away and La Paz, Tarlac only 20 minutes. Now, the movement of goods and persons are accelerated, immensely boosting the economy," Laus said during the CDC anniversary celebration.

On April 28, Clark and Subic officials led the formal opening of the SCTEx’s Clark-Subic segment.

Laus also thanked President Arroyo for fast-tracking the completion of the 94-kilometer SCTEx, which is part her 10-point economic agenda.

"We specifically thank President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for everything that Clark has today, a freeport, a mega-logistics hub, a prime international airport, giant investors and grand expressways. We also convey our gratitude to our legislators and other government officials, and our locators and the community for their continued support to Clark," Laus said.

According to Laus, the SCTEx and the expansion of the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) will complement the ongoing developments in the Clark Freeport, particularly the entry of semiconductor giant Texas Instruments (TI).

The CDC president added that TI has invested over $ 1 billion, with an expected employment generation of 3,000 workers once fully operational.

"Clark is now home to Texas Instruments expansion facility, with its over $ 1-billion investments. Promising employment for 3,000 workers and placing Clark in the radar of major global players in the electronics and semi-conductor industry," Laus said. By FRED M. ROXAS - Manila Bulletin

CIAC transfered to BCDA

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has transferred the Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC), which operates the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) from the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) to the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) as its new subsidiary.

Arroyo, in issuing Executive Order (EO) 716, also transferred the ownership and corresponding dividends from the operation of the CIAC to BCDA. The CIAC was initially created through EO 193, series of 2003, as a CDC subsidiary to operate and manage the 2,200-hectare Clark Civil Aviation Complex (CCAC), including the DMIA, with its 50-year franchise.

The EO, however, transferred the operation and management of the Clark Civil Aviation Complex (CCAC), which is comprised of 2,200 hectare property, to the BCDA.

"There is a need to transform CIAC into a subsidiary of BCDA to ensure that the development of the CCAC-DMIA is aligned to the conversion program of the BCDA," she said adding that the CIAC shall still be subject to the policy supervision of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).

With the transfer, the CIAC shall now have the sole supervision in the operations relating to aviation, aviation-related services, aviation-related logistic, as well as lease and business arrangements pertaining to the said services and activities.

The EO likewise directed the clarification and distinction of the functions and jurisdictions between the CIAC and the CDC "in order to create synergy between the two corporations."

It stated that despite CIAC's transfer, the CDC shall remain the implementing arm of the BCDA within the Clark Freeport Zone (CFZ) and the Clark Special Economic Zone (CSEZ).

As this developed, Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye announced that the President has also strengthened the two-year-old Subic-Clark Alliance for Development (Scad) Council "as the single body that will harmonize the strategies of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ) and CSEZ after issuing EO 504-A which amended EO 504, series of 2006, that created the Council.

Bunye said under EO 504-A, Scad would facilitate "an integrated and coordinated approach to the development of the Scad corridor as a world-class mega-logistics hub and a global gateway to the Asia Pacific Region."

The EO directed Scad to prioritize the formulation of policies and programs to develop Subic, Clark, and the corridor in between them as a globally competitive mega-logistics hub; to formulate common investment promotions activities and harmonize in the SBFZ and CFZ programs, policies, rules and regulations affecting investments, incentives, customs, immigration, leasing, privatization, among others.

The agencies placed under the Scad Council's supervision include the BCDA, CDC, CIAc and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA). (JMR/Sunnex)

Firm to build $1.6-M luxury villas in Clark

CLARK FREEPORT -- A leading Filipino firm in Clark will spend $1.6 million for its expansion project which includes luxury residential holiday villas, officials of Clark Dev’t Corp. (CDC) said.

CDC President Liberato P. Laus and Asialuxe Philippines, Inc., on Thursday signed a lease agreement for the construction of luxury residential holiday villas with exclusive five-star, world-class facilities and amenities.

Laus signed the agreement with Asialuxe Philippines Senior Vice President Wilfredo Rivera at the CDC Corporate Headquarters.

Rivera said the amenities “will complement the nature setting of the place” which will be built in a 1.9-hectare area here.

The amenities, Rivera added, include a multi-purpose clubhouse, conference room, office coffee shop, convenience store, swimming pool, steam bath, spa rooms, putting green, tennis and basketball courts, and limousine services.

Asialuxe Philippines , which specializes in garments manufacturing, has already invested $5.5 million the Clark Freeport. Its $1.6-million expansion project is part of its diversification thrust, Laus said.

“This contract signing is a clear manifestation of our unwavering commitment to develop the resources of the Clark Freeport,” Rivera said, adding that Asialuxe Philippines extends its gratitude to the CDC for extending its support to local investors. By: Bernard Galang - Journal online

Arroyo to lead in the grand opening of SCTEx

CLARK FREEPORT-- -- A sports and motoring event which will include a cruise of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo of the Tarlac-Clark portion of the 94-kilometer Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) will feature its formal and grand opening on April 28.

The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) said it is all set to formally open the SCTEx with the motoring event dubbed 94k Weekend celebrations which will run from April 18 to 30 at the Omni Aviation grounds here and at the soon-to-be-opened expressway.

Once the 94-kilometer SCTEx is opened to motorists, the multi-billion infrastructure is expected to change the way business and leisure are done in northern and Central Luzon," according to president and CEO Levy P. Laus of Clark Development Corp. (CDC).

Retired General Roberto Gervacio of the BCDA is scheduled to brief members of the media at the Fontana Convention Center here today about the SCTEx project.

On April 21, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is set to cruise along the Tarlac portion of the SCTEx in commemoration of the birthday of her father, former president Diosdado Macapagal.

Under the agreement with BCDA, the Clark Freeport will have two interchanges and two access roads to the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) making the Freeport easily accessible from the NLEx and MacArthur Highway.

The 94k Weekend will feature motoring exhibits and car shows led by BMW. It will also be highlighted by various cycling and marathon contests.

Registration for the 94k weekend is ongoing. For further details and to download registration forms for the 10-kilometer SCTEx Fun Run and the 42-kilometer SCTEx Marathon, go to www.94kweekend.com.

The dry-run to be led by President Arroyo from the Tarlac-Clark portion of SCTEx will be held on April 21 after the ground-breaking construction of the Tarlac to Rosario (La Union) expressway, according to Sec. Ed Pamintuan, chief the Subic-Clark Alliance for Development Council (SCADC).

A mass will be held at the Presidents home town in Lubao during the grand opening of the SCTEx. (Asia Pulse Data Source via COMTEX)