Investors endorse Diaz as SBMA chairman

CLARK FIELD, Pampanga — Members of the Clark Investors and Locators Association (CILA) have endorsed the appointment of Presidential Assistant for North Luzon Renato Diaz as the new chairman and administrator of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).

Diaz’s endorsement as replacement of Francisco Licuanan who recently resigned was contained in one of two resolutions, which the CILA officers and members issued yesterday.

In the second resolution, the group pushed for the "continued leadership" of Antonio Ng as president and chief executive officer of the Clark Development Corp. (CDC), which oversees the Clark special economic zone (CSEZ).

President Arroyo appointed Ng upon the recommendation of Licuanan.

Narciso Abaya, president and chief executive officer of the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA), however, said Ng would likely stay in his post.

"He (Ng) is quite efficient and he is doing a lot to help investors at Clark," Abaya told reporters.

Fears that Ng would be replaced arose after Licuanan quit as SBMA administrator.

"As vice chairman of the CDC board, I am not aware of any plans to change the CDC leadership," he added.

Abaya said he was not aware of whom Malacañang is considering as Licuanan’s replacement.

In their resolution, the CILA officers and members appealed to the President to appoint Diaz as they cited his "vast experience in manufacturing, finance, taxation, corporate management, and promotion."

Diaz’s being a former congressman from Nueva Ecija, they said, makes him "a competent appointee to a very important position."

In their second resolution, CILA said the "continued leadership" of Ng as CDC president is needed, "especially during these critical times wherein the CDC and Clark locators are fighting for their very survival."

The CILA was referring to the Supreme Court’s July 29 decision that Clark investors and locators were not entitled to special tax privileges granted to them through presidential issuances.

Some Clark investors have warned they would pull out their investments and move to other countries if the tribunal’s ruling is carried out.

CDC officials, however, assured them that the government is determined to seek legislative or other measures to reverse the ruling.

"The decision, if enforced, could adversely affect the more than 350 CSEZ locators, some 34,000 workers in the CSEZ, as well as the communities and businesses in Central Luzon," the CILA resolution stated.