Integrated Subic-Clark development pushed

Former Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ricardo "Dong" Puno Jr. has urged the government to pursue without letup plans to interconnect the Subic Bay Freeport Zone in Zambales and the Clark Special Economic Zone in Pampanga to further develop Central Luzon’s chief economic corridor and develop the two sites as Asia‘s Silicon Valley.

Puno, a former corporate executive, said this move would not only create more jobs for the people of Luzon, but would also prime Subic and Clark as among Asia’s top investment havens.

In various engagements here and in Guagua, Pampanga, Puno said the two former US military bases could become more competitive as investment sites if these are linked by a highway network that will facilitate access and transport between Clark and Subic.

Puno welcomed reports that the Department of Finance plans to raise $3 billion to $5 billion out of the securitization of assets of the Subic and Clark economic zones to form a "superfund" that could be used to raise revenues for the cash-strapped government.

He said a portion of this so-called superfund could be tapped to bankroll the highway project that would link Subic’s naval facilities to Clark’s international airport.

"We can strengthen our campaign to promote Subic and Clark if we pursue an integrated approach towards the development of these economic hubs. Subic has its harbor while Clark has its air transport facilities," said Puno, who is a native of Guagua.

Earlier, in a speech before the students and faculty of the Guagua National Colleges, Puno underscored the need for the government to convert information technology as an sinstrument for creating jobs and livelihood opportunities for Filipinos.

The senatorial candidate said several foreign firms that are recognized as giants in the information technology and communications sector have already set up or plan to establish their regional centers either in Subic or in Clark.