Bannering Clark

UNDER THE brightest lights of constructive, aye, even promotional reporting, Clark has been bannered in this paper in 2019. Thus:

Highest since 1994

GOCCs remit P40-B to national treasury

Dividends remitted by government-owned or -controlled corporations, including the Clark Development Corp. here, breached the P40-billion mark in 2018, the highest since the law requiring state firms to hand over 50 percent of their annual net earnings to the national government was enacted in 1994… (Jan. 7-9)

For flight punctuality
Clark airport gets two-star ratings

The Clark International Airport received an impressive two-star On-Time Performance (OTP) Rating from an air travel intelligence company based in United Kingdom, according to an executive of the Clark International Airport Corp.

“Clark is the only airport in the country to be given this two-star rating by the Official Aviation Guide and the first ever star rating we received,” CIAC president-CEO Jaime Alberto Melo said.

CRK’s two-star rating was based on its annual OTP of 71.3 percent in 2018… (Feb 4-6)

$25-M aviation project breaks ground in Clark
Metrojet’s biggest single investment

Metrojet Ltd., a Hong Kong-based business aviation service provider with presence throughout the Asia-Pacific, broke ground for its regional expansion project here on Wednesday.

The project, a state-of-the-art business aviation parking and maintenance facility which costs $25 million, is planned to be operational by the second quarter of next year… (Mar. 7-9)

Punto 2018 MAN OF THE YEAR

LIKE A dream. For the longest time that is what Clark has been – its greater expanse called the sub-zone, particularly – in visions of an entertainment mecca, of a new frontier, of a green city, varying at every change of leadership in the Bases Conversion and Development Authority.

It works. Finally, with the accession of Vince Dizon to the helm of that state-owned and -controlled corporation tasked to transform the former bastions of American military might in the Asia-Pacific into engines for national development.

At no time in Clark’s history has there been this concentration of projects – flagship and blue chips at that – as now, tapping as though every bit of Clark’s immense potential.

At no place other than Clark is the Duterte administration’s Build, Build, Build mantra most solidly manifest… (Mar.14-19)

New Clark terminal to open in 2020

The new terminal building of the Clark airport will be finished ahead of schedule in June next year.

This was the observation made by government officials led by Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III during Wednesday’s inspection of its ongoing construction.

“We are looking forward to this project’s completion ahead of schedule,” Dominguez said as he noted that the building is already 53 percent complete.

The new terminal will be operational by mid-2020. By then, passenger capacity will be tripled, adding another eight million to the current capacity of 4.2 million… (Mar. 28-20)

Cebu-Pacific hailed

Clark-Narita flights to start August 9

The announcement of Cebu Pacific that it will be the first Philippine carrier to mount flights between Clark and Narita in Tokyo starting August 9 was met with euphoria by Kapampangans, travel agents and Clark locators.

Clark Investors and Locators Association president Frankie Villanueva said: “We are delighted that Cebu Pacific is launching the Clark-Narita route as it enhances our connectivity to one of the world’s greatest metropolis and brings Metro Clark closer to becoming the main gateway of the country and the epicenter for economic development.” (Apr.4-6)

Clark airport now ‘full blast’
But airlines left to deal with backlog

With earthquake-collapsed ceilings now repaired, the Clark International Airport here resumed “full operations” Wednesday afternoon but left to airlines how to deal with the backlog since Monday’s earthquake…(Apr. 25-27)

For industrial peace

Gov bats for labor center, workers’ hospital in Clark

“That $4.6 billion speaks of the imperative for all of us to do our share to ensure and enhance productivity in this freeport.”

So cited Gov. Lilia G. Pineda of the 2018 export volume of the Clark Freeport during the “Linking of CFZ Locators and Pampanga Public Employment Service Office” that gathered the human resources managers of locator firms, local government executives, officials of the association of barangay chairs, and municipal PESO heads at the Royce Hotel here… (Jun.10-12)

DOTr announces
Transfer general aviation from NAIA to Clark, Sangley

The Clark International Airport Corp. is focused on preparing the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport here for the opening of its new passenger terminal in June next year.

This developed even as the Department of Transportation announced that general aviation services and turbo prop operations will have to move out of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in order to decongest it to Clark, and Sangley airport in Cavite… (Jun. 10-12)

SEA Games facilities 80% complete at NCC

The Bases Conversion Development Authority has reported to visiting senators over 80 percent completion of the 20,000-seater Athletics Stadium, the 2,000-seater Aquatics Center and the 1.4-kilometer Riverpark at the venue of the Southeast Asian Games later this year at the New Clark City..(Jun. 24-26)

Moving nat’l gov’t offices to NCC ‘makes lot of sense’
MM decongestion, ease of doing business cited

Convenience of transacting with government and decongestion of Metro Manila have been identified by Finance Sec. Carlos Dominguez III as among the top benefits of the National Government Administrative Center now nearing completion at the New Clark City within this freeport in Capas, Tarlac.

Thus, the project “makes sense,” he said during a recent visit to the project site… (Jun. 27-29)

Mayor, Aetas deny dislocation at NCC

Aetas that were reported to be claiming they were displaced by the ongoing development of the 9,450-hectare New Clark City here are dreaming.

This was how Mayor Reynaldo “Reycat” Catacutan described their complaint during a press conference attended by Aeta tribal leaders, members of the sangguniang bayan and village officials.

“Kaya po sila nananaginip lang dahil binenta na nila ang lupa nila 30 years ago. Nung pumutok po ang Pinatubo, sila po ay inilipat na sa resettlement area sa Barangay Cristo Rey sa O’Donnel Resettlement Site na puro sementado na kaya wala nang makikitang kalupaan doon,” Catacutan said. “As the local chief executive, I will be the first one to resist any project or development that is not pro-Capaseňo…” (Jul. 11-13)

$13-B first tranche signed for Malolos-Clark railway

President Duterte was witness recently as the Department of Finance and the Asian Development Bank signed $13 billion for the first tranche of $2.75-billion loan for the Malolos-Clark Railway Project…

“The Malolos-Clark railway is part of the Philippine government’s North-South Commuter Railway project, which aims to link New Clark City to Calamba by 2025,” the ADB said in a statement… (Jul.15-17)

NCC sports complex, gov’t center finished by August

Phase 1A of the New Clark City here, including the sports complex to be used for the Southeast Asian Games as well as the National Government Administrative Center, is now 90 percent done and is expected to be fully completed by the end of August, the Bases Conversion Development Authority said.

The August completion of the P120-billion project would be earlier than the October 15 target earlier announced by its developer MTD Philippines, Inc… (Jul. 18-20)

SMC’s Bulacan airport no problem to Clark

“It will dramatically improve connectivity.”

Thus, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority said in reaction to the impending mega-airport in Bulakan, Bulacan.

Vince Dizon, BCDA president-CEO, said “all these airports are aimed to complement eaxh other and make air travel within and outside the country more convenient and comfortable.”… (Aug. 5-7)

BCDA supports national sports academy at NCC

The proposal of Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go to establish the National Academy of Sports in New Clark City gets much-needed boost for the Bases Conversion and Development Authority…

“We laud the initiative of Sen. Bong Go to push sports development in the country further,” BCDA president-CEO Vince Dizon said. He added that NCC is the perfect venue for the National Academy of Sports, being the home of a world-class sports complex… (Aug. 8-10)

NCC ready by 2030 as seat of Phl gov’t

The Bases Conversion and Development Authority said yesterday the New Clark City it is constructing in the Tarlac portion of this freeport would be ready to become the seat of the national government by 2030.

This, even as the BCDA expressed full support to the proposal of Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian to transfer the seat of government to NCC by that year.

“This initiative will not only solve Manila’s congestion problems, but will also create opportunities in Central Luzon and nearby regions,” said BCDA president-CEO Vince Dizon... (Aug. 12-14)

Clark airport to LIPAD

“Paliparin ninyo ang paliparan. Make it go. Make it glow. Make it grow. So, it becomes the envy of airports within this country and all over the world.”

Thus, Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade exhorted the Luzon International Premiere Airport Development Corp. as he turned over the operations and maintenance of the Clark International Airport to the consortium.

LIPAD, a consortium of JG Summit Holdings, Filinvest Development Corp., Philippine Airport Ground Support Solutions Inc., and Changi Airport Phil., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Changi Airports International, will operate and manage the Clark airport for 25 years. The agreement covers the existing terminal and the new terminal currently under construction… (Aug. 19-21)

$210-M waste-to-energy plant eyed in NCC

The Metro Clark Waste Management Corp. has bared plans to construct next year a $210-million waste-to-energy facility in the New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac.

MCWM president Rufo Colayco said this would initiate “transitioning from merely landfilling to high technology recycling and renewable energy generation...” (Oct. 10-12)

P12-B luxury mountain resort soon to rise at NCC

A P12-billion luxury mountain resort will soon rise at the New Clark City (NCC) in Capas, Tarlac.

This developed as the Widus Group, owner and developer of Widus Hotel and Casino and the Clark Marriott Hotel here, is set to sign an agreement with the Bases Conversion and Development Authority to lease and develop a 450-hectare property at the NCC for the high-end project.

The signing of the agreement set at the Clark Marriott Hotel here will be between Dae Sik Han, president-CEO of Hann Development Corp., a member of the Widus Consortium, and BCDA president-CEO Vince B. Dizon… (Oct. 24-26)

NCC sports stadium fit for Olympics

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), the international governing body for the sport of athletics, has given a Class 1 certification on the Athletics Stadium of the rising metropolis here.

This means that the Philippines can now use the stadium to host “Tier- 1 athletics competitions like the SEA Games, the Asian Games, and even the Olympic Games…”(Nov. 11-13)

Grand SEA Games opening expected at New Clark City

With most unsavory things already said about the country’s hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games, its opening is expected to be joyous and fiery grand at the New Clark City.

A “dress rehearsal” for the opening, as posted in a video on Facebook, revealed a short-but-spectacular fireworks display crowning the athletes stadium alongside the controversial 40-meter high symbolic cauldron looking like a steely ice cream cone topped by flaming ice cream… (Nov. Nov 28-30)

BCDA says

NCC deal ‘most transparent, aboveboard’

The Bases Conversion and Development Authority said its joint venture agreement with MTD Capital Berhad for the development of New Clark City is both “transparent” and “above board.”

In a press conference with Government Corporate Counsel Atty. Elpidio J. Vega, BCDA president-CEO Vince Dizon laid down the facts, emphasizing that the JVA with the developer underwent all the legal requisites and processes and that it is very advantageous to the government.

This debunked unfounded allegations that the deal was full of irregularities and designed to defraud the government.

He said there was never an unfavorable opinion in the Jan. 30, 2018 contract review by the OGCC… (Dec. 2-4)

After hosting SEAG

BCDA faces odds of Olympic history

The euphoria over hosting the 30th Southeast Asian Games is set to dissipate after its dramatic conclusion at the Athletic Stadium at New Clark City here last Dec. 11.

Now the question expected to resurface is: Will not the rising city’s Athletes’ Village head towards being a white elephant as did most other grand structures built for international sports events worldwide?

Sen. Sonny Angara, chair of the Senate committee on finance, said during a Senate hearing that P188 million has been allocated for the maintenance of the SEAG facilities: P120 million for the athletic stadium, P50 million for the aquatic center, P10 million for the Athletes’ Village maintenance and P8 million for the warmup track.

He downplayed fears that the village would become a white elephant, citing rental and sponsorship opportunities for the multimillion-peso SEAG facilities in the future…

The BCDA has announced that NCC will host the 11^th Asian Swimming Championships… (Dec. 12-14)