Reopening of Clark helps spur economic rebound

When the national government gave its nod for the resumption of public and private construction projects last May, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) promptly put shovels back on the ground at Clark to help revive the battered Philippine economy.

As of July, BCDA and CDC facilitated the return to work of some 800,000 personnel, or 65% of the total workforce in Clark.

Aside from putting money back in the pockets of workers and enabling them to put food on their families’ tables, the resumption of activity in Clark pumped much-needed revenues in the industries of manufacturing, leisure, and business process outsourcing.

“We can no longer stay in this prolonged lockdown because the economy is reeling from the effects not only of COVID-19, but also of the lockdown,” said Vince Dizon, BCDA President and Chief Executive Officer during the Asia CEO Clark Online Forum on July 16. “We have to start easing up slowly but surely.”

Mr. Dizon is concurrently the Deputy Chief Implementer of the National Task Force Against COVID-19.

Taking flight again

At the top of the priority list is getting construction work back on track at the Clark International Airport New Terminal Building, a flagship project under the government’s Build Build Build program.

“It’s meant not only to create jobs, but also to create all the necessary multiplier effects that infrastructure provides,” Mr. Dizon said. “Having a new airport makes it easier for tourism to kickstart and makes it easier for businesses to kickstart, knowing that there is a new gateway to the country.”

Aside from the private firms, government offices at the One-Stop Shop Center were able to resume operations.

According to CDC, the agencies that have reopened included the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Pag- Ibig Fund, PhilHealth, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Social Security System (SSS), and Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA).

Aviation activities at the CIA resumed operations in June, culminating with the landing of Emirates’ first commercial flight in September––a milestone for the facility, following months of airline travel restrictions.

Slam dunk

After much evaluation and scrutiny, the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga emerged as the venue of choice for the historic bubble season of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). The postponed Season 45 of the PBA is slated to resume in October, and is expected to run until December.

Basketball stars will shoot hoops at Angeles University Foundation (AUF) Gym and will be billeted at the Quest Hotel. PBA officials had recognized that Clark offers the complete package, from a safety standpoint––with nearby hospitals, shorter travel time for teams, and strict adherence to health protocols. There are also great golf courses in the vicinity, where players can unwind between games.

When the bubble pushes through, it would be the first sports bubble in Asia.

With Clark getting back on its feet, it hopes to do even more than generating jobs and revenues, and offering sports entertainment. Clark, in its own way, strives to be an example of resilience and achievement despite the pandemic.