Newsletter_Sept-Oct 2011 Save PDF - Philippines Bases ...
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In the News MNTC’s unsolicited offer seen to fast-track Clark-NAIA linkup An unsolicited offer by a major tollway operator to build an elevated highway above a rail system can be the right package to hasten the necessary linkup between Clark International Airport and Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), according to Felicito Payumo, chairman of the BCDA. In a speech, Payumo told Rotary Club Pasig members that Manila North Tollways Corp. (MNTC) had made the unsolicited proposal for an elevated expressway connector using the alignment of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) to link South Luzon tollway with North Luzon expressway. He described the proposal as “strategic” because it would also link Clark and NAIA airports and help decongest vehicular traffic in Metro Manila. Payumo said that if the connector project would be awarded this year, he was optimistic that it would be finished during President Aquino’s term. “Here is one of the doables now that is significant enough to be part of President Aquino’s legacy to the Filipino people.” “By itself, the connector road is a game changer,” Payumo further said, adding that the connector would make travel time between NAIA and Clark “a mere 70 minutes,” or two-fifths of the current travel time. He recalled that Japan also had a dual airport system but the linkup between Tokyo’s Narita and Haneda airports was through elevated expressway for about 10 years until the completion of an express train for speedier linkup. Payumo’s speech came on the heels of a broader debate whether to transfer NAIA to Clark freeport zone in Pampanga or to operate NAIA and Clark airports under a two-airport system catering to both short- and long-haul flights. The debate was prodded by recent widespread criticisms tagging NAIA as “the world’s worst airport.” NAIA’s newest tag has prompted the government to take another look at a major study by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) choosing Clark airport as an alternative to NAIA. Among other factors that it deemed significant in its choice of Clark, JICA said Clark airport sits on a 2,500-hectare land and has two runways that can accommodate A380 airbus jets. But converting Clark as a real alternative to NAIA, according to Payumo, would depend largely on the connectors between the two major airports: a highspeed rail connection that can make travel time between two airports faster or not exceeding 45 minutes; and complete NLEX- Skyway connections. He added that the development of support facilities as well as infrastructures at and around Clark airport to serve both budget airlines and socalled legacy carriers would also play a big factor in determining Clark airport’s growth. Still, Payumo said, any talk about a linkup between NAIA and Clark would remain idle talk “unless we solve the connection problem” between the two airports. The linkup, he added, would “decongest the air traffic problem at NAIA wherein airline movements (takeoffs and landings) already exceeded the scheduling limit of 36 movements per hour.” 10
Freeport / Ecozone News Garment firm in Clark to invest P8.7M on regional headquarters CDC Public Relations Department CLARK FREEPORT ZONE— The Clark Development Corporation (CDC) announced that a garment firm is set to establish its Regional Operating Headquarters inside the freeport zone. In the Marketing Department’s investment and business updates submitted to Antonio Felipe Remollo, the Smart Shirts (Phils.) Inc., is set to infuse P8.738 milion for the regional facilities and other related activities of the garment factory. The reports said that the Hong Kong/Chinese firm signed sub-lease agreement recently with Philexcel Business Park. The headquarters will complement the factory operations of Smart Shirts. At present, Smart Shirts has 2,362 workers and among the top 10 exporters of the freeport zone. Meanwhile, another firm is eyeing Clark Freeport Zone as it next warehousing project that would complement the operation of huge firms operating inside the zone. In the report by the CDC Corporate Planning Department to Remollo, the MSK Group Work, Inc. hopes to establish a warehousing project. The firm is yet to announce the multi-million venture that it plans to invest within the zone to complement the needs of various semiconductor firms in Clark. Since the entry of big ticket semi-conductor firms inside Clark prompted many investors to take a second look at the former US-run Clark Air Base which has been transformed into a premier investment destination in South East Asia. With the entry of new warehousing project here, workers are expected to increase anew complementing the growing manpower needs inside the zone. Since the assumption of Remollo las May, workers inside the Clark Freeport Zone increased by 3.9 percent. The reports stated that from 60,162 workers at the year-end (2010), employment in Clark as of July 2011 increased. The accomplishment reports prepared by CPD also said that the employment performance was due to steady growth in the electronics, garments and other manufacturing sub-sectors, along with the expansion of Information Technology/ Telecommunications sector. The increase in investment projects in Clark, and the improved employment situation, could also be attributed to the sound economic policies of President Aquino which gave investors confidence to locate in Clark. Workers are also expected to increase by the yearend or early next year as new firms inside Clark are now in the last stages of the construction of their buildings and as other firms undertake expansion programs. Most of these are Information and Communication Technology (ICT) firms, and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies, which are in the process of hiring more workers due to the growing demands in ICT/BPO- related industries. 11
- Page 1 and 2: News &Views at the Base Official Pu
- Page 3 and 4: In the News BCDA seeks JICA nod to
- Page 5 and 6: p lines up lopment projects ntified
- Page 7 and 8: In the News Raised by Heroes By Mar
- Page 9: In the News BCDA wrote Secretary Ro
- Page 13 and 14: In the News Bataan Techno Park to u
- Page 15 and 16: In the News BCDA AND DND DISCUSS AF
Freeport / Ecozone News<br />
Garment firm in Clark to<br />
invest P8.7M on regional<br />
headquarters<br />
CDC Public Relations Department<br />
CLARK FREEPORT ZONE— The Clark Development Corporation (CDC) announced that a<br />
garment firm is set to establish its Regional Operating Headquarters inside the freeport<br />
zone.<br />
In the Marketing Department’s investment and<br />
business updates submitted to Antonio Felipe Remollo,<br />
the Smart Shirts (Phils.) Inc., is set to infuse P8.738 milion<br />
for the regional facilities and other related activities of the<br />
garment factory.<br />
The reports said that the Hong Kong/Chinese<br />
firm signed sub-lease agreement recently with Philexcel<br />
Business Park. The headquarters will complement the<br />
factory operations of Smart Shirts.<br />
At present, Smart Shirts has 2,362 workers and<br />
among the top 10 exporters of the freeport zone.<br />
Meanwhile, another firm is eyeing Clark Freeport<br />
Zone as it next warehousing project that would complement<br />
the operation of huge firms operating inside the zone.<br />
In the report by the CDC Corporate Planning<br />
Department to Remollo, the MSK Group Work, Inc. hopes<br />
to establish a warehousing project.<br />
The firm is yet to announce the multi-million venture<br />
that it plans to invest within the zone to complement the<br />
needs of various semiconductor firms in Clark.<br />
Since the entry of big ticket semi-conductor firms<br />
inside Clark prompted many investors to take a second<br />
look at the former US-run Clark Air Base which has been<br />
transformed into a premier investment destination in South<br />
East Asia.<br />
With the entry of new warehousing project here,<br />
workers are expected to increase anew complementing the<br />
growing manpower needs inside the zone.<br />
Since the assumption of Remollo las May, workers<br />
inside the Clark Freeport Zone increased by 3.9 percent.<br />
The reports stated that from 60,162 workers at<br />
the year-end (2010), employment in Clark as of July <strong>2011</strong><br />
increased.<br />
The accomplishment reports prepared by CPD also<br />
said that the employment performance was due to steady<br />
growth in the electronics, garments and other manufacturing<br />
sub-sectors, along with the expansion of Information<br />
Technology/ Telecommunications sector.<br />
The increase in investment projects in Clark, and<br />
the improved employment situation, could also be attributed<br />
to the sound economic policies of President Aquino which<br />
gave investors confidence to locate in Clark.<br />
Workers are also expected to increase by the yearend<br />
or early next year as new firms inside Clark are now in<br />
the last stages of the construction of their buildings and as<br />
other firms undertake expansion programs. Most of these<br />
are Information and Communication Technology (ICT) firms,<br />
and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies,<br />
which are in the process of hiring more workers due to the<br />
growing demands in ICT/BPO- related industries.<br />
11
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