Clark Freeport adds 54 new locators in 7 months

MANILA, Philippines — Clark Freeport Zone increased its workforce count as it registered 54 new locators in the seven months to July this year.

In a statement yesterday, Clark Development Corp. (CDC) said the 54 new locators in Clark Freeport Zone brought in an additional 5,295 jobs.

Data on the amount of investments made by the 54 new establishments were not available as of press time.

Evangeline Tejada, vice president for business enhancement and business development group at CDC, said Clark Freeport Zone now hosts a total of 1,092 firms as of end-July, from 1,038 at the end of last year.

In terms of employee count, Clark Freeport Zone has 128,268 workers as of end-July, up from 122,973 employees as of end-2018.

Industrial firms accounted for the bulk of the workforce count at the freeport through its 36.49 percent share or 46,809 workers.

This was followed by the information and communication technology industry with a 17.80 percent share or 22,827 employees, and estate developers on third spot with 21,806 workers.

On fourth and fifth spots are the service industry with 16,317 workers and tourism with 10,241 employees, respectively.

Other sectors which contributed to the workforce count are commercial, institutional, aviation-related, logistics, utility and agro-industrial industries.

CDC said it expects the employee count within the Clark Freeport Zone to rise even further as firms locate in New Clark City.

“A significant increase in employment generation is also expected in the coming years once the New Clark City becomes fully operational,” CDC said.

New Clark City is being positioned as the country’s first smart and green city.

Covering 9,450-hectares, New Clark City has designated 3,500 hectares as buildable area and 6,000 hectares as green and open spaces.