EXPLORE CLARK WITH CONFIDENCE Generous open spaces and an organized public transport system make Clark a safe space in the wake of COVID-19.
By Nicole Sindiong large part of what makes Clark a safe place to live, work, and travel is its ecofriendly and humancentered design. When the former US military air base was developed into the burgeoning district that it is today, mobility was a top priority for its contractors. Key attractions were kept adjacent to each other so people can easily explore the city on foot. In the Freeport Zone, for instance, public parks like the Clark Parade Grounds and the CDC Children’s Playground are just a short walk from Clark Museum and the Mangan Tamu food park. CAR OPTIONAL Many visitors, particularly from Manila, arrive in Clark in their own vehicles. For those flying into Clark International Airport, there are accredited car rental shops catering to travelers who wish to cruise through the metropolis on four wheels. It’s a convenient, if quite pricey, way to explore Clark.
For light travelers, biking can be a practical and efficient means to get around. Besides featuring more walkable and green spaces, Clark’s long-term development blueprint encourages and supports the shift to this low-carbon transport option, with facilities like bike lanes along major highways. Existing bike-friendly public spaces include the New Clark City (NCC) River Park, an environmental and recreational strip that will extend up to 9 kilometers long at the end of construction, and the striking Sacobia Bridge, an 894-meter-long steel bridge that connects NCC with other Clark districts. EASY RIDE Taxis can be hailed on the streets, and the Grab ridesharing app is also a convenient way to book a ride. The best option, though,
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is a free lift on the Clark Loop, the city’s highly organized bus rapid transit system. The Clark Loop’s pilot run kicked off during the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games hosted by the metropolis in 2019. It offered two routes—or loops—comprising several stops within the Freeport Zone and NCC, whose sports hub was the center of all the SEA Games action. The NCC loop, known as Loop 2, has been suspended due to the temporary closure of NCC facilities. However, two new routes have been introduced to service additional locations during the lockdown. Commuters can now choose from three distinct loops, each with fixed stops at key destinations in the city. There’s a Clark Loop station inside Clark International Airport, where passengers can board a Loop 1 bus to take them to the SM City Clark and Puregold Duty Free shopping centers. The same route includes stopovers
