Clark Development projects seen to create 47,000 jobs
CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga: The Clark Development Corp. said that around 47,000 jobs could be generated for Aeta communities in the Sacobia Valley and Central Luzon residents once “The Next Frontier” is fully developed.
During “The Next Frontier Road show” held on April 2 at the Centro Bar and Resto here, Clark Development President Benigno Ricafort said that nearby and contingent communities along the Clark Freeport will benefit from the spillover effect caused by the pouring of investments into the frontier.
Ricafort added that projects in the industrial, commercial, education and tourism sectors are expected to generate some 47,000 jobs.
He said that the estimated number of jobs to be created was based on the recently completed master development plan for “The Next Frontier,” a vast stretch of land along the Sacobia Valley in Pampanga.
Ricafort added that the frontier’s development is being pursued in consonance with the Joint Management Agreement (JMA)—a contract signed on December 6, 2007, by Clark Development, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples and leaders of Aeta tribes, who have inherent rights over certain areas of the Sacobia Valley under the ancestral-domain claims.
He added that while the JMA and “The Next Frontier” would enable Clark Development to generate investment potentials in tourism, housing, commercial, institutional and light industry projects in the Sacobia Valley, the undertaking also ensures the recognition and promotion of the overall welfare of the Aeta tribes in the area.
Ricafort said that Clark Development needs at least P11 billion in investments for the total development of frontier. He added that they are working out signing of lease agreements with firms whose businesses focus on tourism and industrial-related projects.
Support from stakeholders
Three Clark stakeholders have already signified their support for the master development plan.
First to show support is the Metro Clark Advisory Council, an influential group composed of mayors of local governments that lie along the periphery of the Metro Clark area.
During the regular council meeting hosted by Mayor Rey Catacutan of Capas on March 24, the mayors unanimously signed a resolution supporting the master development plan in their bid to “contribute in boosting the local economy and the provision of jobs to residents.”
Citing Section 16 of Republic Act 7160, the council said “every local government unit shall enhance economic prosperity and social justice, promote full employment among the residents and preserve the comfort and convenience of the inhabitants.”
On April 1, members of the Pampanga Mayors League endorsed the master development plan by signing a resolution supporting Clark Development’s goal to develop “The Next Frontier.”
The league president, Mayor Dennis Pineda of Lubao, said at least 18 mayors of Pampanga’s 21 towns signed Resolution 57 S-2009, which emphasized that the frontier “when fully developed, will serve as a major tourism and employment generator hence a potential economic hub.”
The league also said it supports “The Next Frontier” project “like the way we support the other projects of President Gloria Arroyo” in Central Luzon, like the NorthRail, Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway and the expansion of the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport passenger terminal, among others.
Boosting education
Besides employment generation, Ricafort said that Clark Development will establish educational facilities and centers for excellence that will supply the manpower needs of firms inside Clark’s main development zone and the frontier.
On March 23, Clark Development and the Philippine Science High School (PSHS) signed an agreement for the establishment of a Central Luzon-based campus in the Clark Polytechnic here.
Ricafort and Science Secretary Estrella Alabastro were the signatories to the agreement.
The Clark Development president said the Philippine Science campus is a “breakthrough” for the Clark Freeport, since it also makes the area a center for excellence.
Ricafort added that the presence of the campus inside the freeport “has great potential for encouraging the youth to aim high in terms of academic excellence.”
The campus, once established, will be the second educational center inside the freeport since the Americans abandoned Clark in 1991. The University of the Philippines was the first to establish a campus in the area.
By Mark Louie Roxas, Correspondent
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