From Clark Can’t to Super Clark

For the past 15 years, since the time Pinatubo erupted and the American military "abandoned" Subic and Clark, we’ve been hearing about the economic potential of these two former American bases. Of course, during the eruption and immediately afterward, there were doubts as to whether these two former bases would be of any use. After the eruption, Clark and Subic were a vast wasteland.

But a few years after the eruption, Clark and Subic were at the center of an economic boom. The question about whether Filipinos could manage the bases was answered with an emphatic "yes." A lot of development went on, and these former bases became the apple of the eye of many foreign investors. Duty Free shops sprouted like mushrooms, an international airport broke ground, and a number of golf courses and resorts were constructed at the same time.

Personally, I found myself in the middle of all of that since I worked for a golf course design company. Money was flowing – to the point that in 1997, Smart Communications and Mimosa Golf and Country Club tapped my company to bring in a young, up-and-coming golfer named Tiger Woods. He did come, and played with three Asian golfers at the Mimosa Golf Course. While he only stayed for 23 hours, it was undoubtedly a highlight moment for Mimosa, and Clark.

But then, we all know what happened in the second half of 1997. The Asian crisis stalled the economic growth of the region. A lot of developments – and businesses – crashed. Clark suddenly became a ghost town. Shops started closing. Unfinished construction remained unfinished. Just when everything was looking rosy, just when Clark seemed ready to take off, it was grounded once again. Before the crisis, the battle cry was, "Yes, Clark can!" In 1998, it was back to "Nope, Clark can’t."

Up to a couple of years ago, the development of Clark dragged on. Everyone was wondering if Clark could ever rise again. Yes, there were signs of hope. New airlines like Tiger Air started using Clark as a landing hub, offering dirt-cheap fares. Exclusive clubs like Fontana and Mimosa opened to the public. But overall, the mood was somber. Banks foreclosed a number of developments. And the Supreme Court ruled that Clark could not offer the same tax incentives to investors as Subic. With this ruling, it seemed that the prospects of Clark became even dimmer.

But there’s an old song by Billy Ward and the Dominoes that goes, "You can’t keep a good man down." And that line applies to Clark. If you really take time to look, Clark is a fantastic area. It’s bigger than Singapore, and it has a strategic central location. Its terrain is perfect for an international airport (flat), and it has access to almost every part of Luzon. Why else do you think the Americans chose this area when they set up their bases?

Over the years, Clark has had some setbacks. But recent developments in both management and infrastructure are making Clark a viable option once again.

Recently, I stayed for a couple of days at the Montevista Villas in the Mimosa area of Clark for a business project, and I was amazed at the development that was going on. It felt like the mid-’90s again. I’m not a betting man but if I were, I’d be putting all my chips on Clark.

During my trip there, I had a chance to chat with Clark Development Corporation president Levy P. Laus, who was appointed a little less than three months ago. Prior to that, he was BCDA Director for six years. But Laus is also a successful businessman whose core business is car dealerships and non-life insurance.

"I really didn’t have to take this job," said Laus, who added that his businesses alone keep him very busy. "But I’ve always been civic-minded. I wanted to help the community, the country. I was very active with the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and the Philippine Jaycees. My involvement in these organizations was born out of a sincere desire to help in countryside development. I believe that for us to move forward, Metro Manila should be decongested. And Clark is the perfect area for the spillover from Metro Manila. With the new and improved North Luzon Expressway, Clark is only 50 minutes away from Manila."

With Laus at the helm, Clark Development Corporation has approved the entry of more tourism projects for the ecozone, setting his administration on a brisk pace as more than P230 million worth of investments will be infused by foreign and local investors. Laus also said that three firms have signed separate agreements with CDC for the development of world-class condominium-hotel units, a well-being spa in a retirement village, and an expansion program for a new hotel and casino facility here. The projects were signed within Laus’s first month in office.

He also signed an agreement with Widus International Leisure Inc. (WILI), which will set up a 130-unit condotel on 1.91 hectares at the so-called Casino Strip along M.A. Roxas Avenue. WILI is also eyeing the expansion of its projects once the initial condotel project becomes fully operational. A Korean firm, WILI will initially employ at least 80 workers when the project commences operations in less than two years. The project includes the construction of scenic waterfalls, a swimming pool, wellness spa, fine-dining restaurant, upscale Korean restaurant, rooftop bar, and entertainment and music hall.

CDC also recently signed an agreement with another group of Korean investors for the establishment of a P30-million well-being spa and the operation of a clubhouse called the Redwood Villa Club House. The agreement, which also includes the establishment of a gift shop, coffee lounge and Olympic-size swimming pool, was signed with New Wellbeing Spa City Corporation president Park Yong Il. The wellness project will be the first of its kind by the Korean firm in Clark, which has leased the entire 10.2-hectare clubhouse to be transformed into another tourist destination in Clark, for the residents and non-residents of the villas-cum-retirement village.

Last month, Laus also approved the allocation of an additional 2,000 square meters for the expansion of the Stotsenberg Leisure Park and Hotel, which is set to start operations before the year ends. The P4-billion hotel project will now have a total land area of 3.24 hectares for its restaurant complex and casino. Stotsenberg Hotel will also have a convention center, theme park, swimming pool, spa, sports and recreational facilities, and refreshment parlors.

Laus said these projects will provide additional employment opportunities to the residents of Metro Clark area and nearby provinces once they are fully operational.

"There’s still a lot of work to be done," Laus said. "We’re working on increasing the incentives for investors. But certainly, things are looking up. The North Luzon Expressway has made Clark very accessible to Metro Manilans. Then, in a couple of years, we’ll have the Northrail Transit that will connect Balintawak to Clark. And of course, there’s the Subic-Tarlac-Clark expressway. If you go to Clark or Subic, you’ll see the road that’s being constructed to directly link the two. Pretty soon, you can go to Clark – and be 25 to 30 minutes away from a beautiful beach."

With all these exciting developments, I asked Laus what his message was to the general public. He smiled and said, "Wear shades when you go to Clark. For the future of Clark is very, very bright."

As a Kapampangan – and a Filipino – I can hardly wait.

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Thanks for your letters, folks! You may e-mail me at rodhnepo@yahoo.com.