6 projects eyed to speed up development of Subic-Clark

Government is eyeing at least six priority projects that will enhance the Subic-Clark Alliance Development or SCAD.

The list was recently submitted to Trade and Industry Secretary Manuel Roxas II who is supporting the SCAD.

The six priority projects are the following:

Subic-Clark Tarlac tollroad project, North Luzon railway project, Clark airport development, Mimosa-type leisure estate development, Expo Pilipinas redevelopment, and Subic seaport.

According to Roxas, the six priority projects would be pushed by SCAD as they are important to support the SCAD concept.

Roxas admitted that the SCAD would not necessarily be the lead agency in pushing the projects.

More likely, Roxas said, the lead agencies would still be the local government units (LGUs) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

The SCAD concept is to pool the resources of the Clark Air Base and Subic Freeport and undertake a joint and complementary development of the two facilities.

According to Roxas, the SCAD concept has allowed Clark and Subic to "look at their future from a collective perspective," adding that instead of previously competing with each other, Clark and Subic would now be able to focus on their strengths.

For instance, Roxas said, Subic would concentrate and push for the development of its seaport facilities, while giving Clark its own identity as an airport facility.

Likewise, Roxas said, Clark would push itself less as a domestic tourist destination and instead recommend Subic for its beaches.

Clark, instead, could concentrate on being a convention site or for indoor leisure.

Under the SCAD, Roxas said, the two entities would push for legislation that would help in the alignment of their regulations, incentive and procedures.

Funding for SCAD supported projects, however, Roxas admitted would still likely come from foreign sources such as the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC). – Marianne Go