Government, private sector to fasttrack Clark projects for APEC hosting

MANILA, Philippines - The government and the private sector have decided to fasttrack projects in Clark, Pampanga with the area serving as one of the venues for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) events this year.

In a statement, Clark Development Corp. (CDC) president and chief executive officer Arthur Tugade said the country’s APEC hosting has encouraged both government and the private sector to advance the implementation of their respective projects.

The Philippines is hosting the APEC meetings this year.

The APEC senior officers meeting started in Clark on January 26.

Tugade said projects such as the Clark Rotunda, Clark Museum, Clark 4D

Theatre and Clark Integrated Command Center are to be implemented this year.

The renovation of the Clark Parade Ground, which is in its final stages, is expected to have a rubberized overlay for the jogging path, renovated park bencher, as well as shower room for sports participants upon completion.

Tugade said some locator firms in Clark have also advanced the dates of their development plans.

Among these locators is Fontana Leisure Parks which is expanding the seating capacity of its convention center to more than 1,800 seats from 500, at present, putting up new villas and rooms and adding 1,000 workers.

Oxford Hotel meanwhile, has committed to invest P1 billion in the next five years to put up a new hotel, casino and restaurant with one-stop commercial complex as well as employ 615 individuals.

Widus Hotel and Casino is spending P2 billion for the construction of Tower 3 which has 300 bedrooms, as well as putting up a water theme park and employing 500 additional workers.

Tugade said that while the infrastructure and developments in Clark are being fast-tracked, such are not intended solely for the APEC events.

“The projects are for the CDC and economic zone,” he said.

He also said the hosting of the APEC is expected to be beneficial to the country.

Earlier, trade officials said the hosting of the APEC meetings this year will allow the country to showcase what it can offer and attract foreign investments.

The APEC which groups 21 members, seeks to support sustainable economic growth and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.

The last time the Philippines served as host for the APEC meetings was in 1996.