CLARK FREEPORT – Government corporate executives here are embarking on utilities improvement to bring about a more favorable business climate and a suitable working environment here.
At a recent media briefing, Atty Agnes Devanadera, president and CEO of Clark Development Corp (CDC), said that they are considering housing and mass transport for Clark employees as part of the priority.
“We already have 120,000 plus employees who must be given a program first on housing. It’s also high time that we also focus on the welfare of our workers. So, we are promoting housing within the zone,” she said.
Devanadera met with members of local media to promote the upcoming Steak Festival in Clark on December 10-11, as part of the Christmas festivities here.
“Filinvest saw that and they are open their dormitories at P4,000 per bed so parang bed spacer ka. That’s very ideal duon sa Mimosa. And, inquiries are coming also from outside do we are really encouraging investors to put up dorms.,” she added.
Filinvest has multi-billion dollar investments in Clark that includes the Mimosa Quest Plus resort. It is also a partner in the LIPAD consortium that operates the Clark International Airport.
The state-owned firm is also reviving plans for a Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) system that would help in the daily commute of workers inside the 4,440-hectare main zone here.
“The mass transport system, so we’re focusing on this. We want the mass transport system to be initiated and in fact, we have been sitting down with several proponents,” she added.
During the height of the pandemic, CDC utilized its then unused BRT terminals and buses and transported workers to and from the main gate in Balibago, Angeles City and Mabalacat gate for free. The buses plied the main thoroughfares of Clark while feeder roads where serviced by passenger jeepneys. It was stopped due to high cost of maintenance.
On internet connectivity, Devanadera praised Converge’s Founder and President Dennis Anthony Uy for helping rollout wider and faster service in Clark.
“I’m really happy to tell you that our Dennis Anthony Uy is helping us. Siya na ang nagsasabi sa amin. At ang maganda sa kanya, ay habang nag aadvice sya ay bumubunot naman ng bulsa,” she said.
Devanadera also underscored the need to keep and improve power and water services inside the Freeport.
“So that’s what we are focusing for the next years. Kasama talaga sa dapat naming lagyan ng programa ay welfare ng mga nagttrabaho sa loob ng zone,” she said.
