Post anything Clark and Subic related. Would should see these two investment hubs becoming something big in the future. They will most likely propel the Philippine economy in the next decade.

Clark Ecozone employment to reach 76,000 in five years

By Ding Cervantes
The Philippine Star 05/04/2004


CLARK FIELD, Pampanga — The Clark Development Corp. (CDC) has announced that employment is expected to soar to about 76,000 at the Clark special economic zone in the next five years after it signed new business agreements with 32 more firms.

"Clark now hosts about 413 business enterprises whose investments total about P77.75 billion in the next five years," the CDC said yesterday. The old and new firms are expected to open more jobs and boost employment here from about 27,000 to 76,000 in the next five years.

The employment figure is much more than the 24,000 Filipinos employed by the US military base here in 1991.

Of the 32 new investments , CDC public relations department chief Sonny Lopez particularly cited the takeover of the mothballed Tru North Gold and Country Club by the US firm BAC Nevada, which will develop a world-class golf course, housing, leisure parks, convention centers, and a world-class resort.

The CDC also signed recently an agreement with the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) to promote industrial peace and "to elevate the standard of employment inside the Clark special economic zone."

CDC president and chief executive officer Emmanuel Angeles said that the CDC and NCMB will also "provide immediate conciliation services to facilitate the amicable settlement of labor disputes" and "undertake training and orientation activities for employers and workers on voluntary modes of labor dispute prevention and settlement while the labor body will also provide assistance in terms of trainings, seminar modules and designs, resource persons and other technical support."

"These measures," Angeles said, "will promote industrial peace at Clark and thereby attract more investors."

RP’s first eco facility opens in Subic

THE GOVERNMENT’S information campaign on environmental preservation has just received a boost after the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) opened the country’s first ever eco-tourism visitor orientation facility.

A joint undertaking by the state-owned firm with the NGOs (non-government organizations) for Integrated Protected Areas, Inc. (NIPAS), the Presidential Commission on the Central Luzon Growth Corridor (PCCLGC) explained that the facility “will serve as a catalyst in providing information and lectures to visitors on how to preserve environmental resources.”

With the facility also called the NIPA Ecoworkshop, the commission added that it shall also be a venue where local residents of Zambales, and eventually of Central Luzon, will be introduced to new livelihood projects that are environmentally sound and friendly.

According to the PCCLGC, the Ecoworkshop “is strategically situated near the roosting place of fruit bats, the famous Apaliin Trail and the Tiboa mangrove” in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ).

The area is actually at the former administration building of the US Naval Magazine inside the ecozone, which is now also a training center “for protected area management and bio-diversity conservation.”

Quoting SBMA chair, Felicito Payumo, the PCCLGC said that “the new facility will support them in the campaign to showcase Subic as a place where industry, ecology and tourism can harmoniously mix.”

Does anybody have any Clark and Subic pictures? I have Clark pictures, but they are old and bad quality.

Bigger aircrafts [sic] can now land in Clark

WIDE-bodied aircrafts [sic] can now be accommodated at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) following the completion of the rehabilitation and strengthening of its seven-hectare apron and taxiway.

According to the Presidential Commission for the Central Luzon Growth Corridor (PCCLGC), large aircrafts such as the MD 11 and Boeing 747 can now land at the DMIA as a result of the P215.7-million improvements at its aviation complex.

An MD-11 is a Boeing 777 wide-bodied aircraft which has a longer non-stop flying range of 10 to 11 hours. (Huh, the MD-11 is a what now? :nuts: )

Quoting Clark Development Corp. (CDC) president, Emmanuel Angeles, the commission added that the airport can now also accommodate 10 aircrafts [sic] “at any given time.”

The state-owned CDC awarded the construction project to the RD Policarpio Construction Company, Inc., which the PCCLGC described as “one of the local constructors in Pampanga that has maintained its integrity in the field of engineering here and abroad.”

With 90-tonner, wide-bodied commercial and cargo aircrafts now being able to land at the DMIA, the special Malacañang agency overseeing Central Luzon’s investment and economic activities said that initially benefiting from the newly-completed project is the United Parcel Service (UPS), the world’s largest package delivery firm which now also operates inside the ecozone.

Further quoting Angeles, the PCCLGC said that the UPS can now “bring in more cargo flights with heavier payload at the DMIA.”

The UPS Intra-Asia Hub in the Clark ecozone mounts 16 flights every night. The commission said that this is expected to increase soon.

It was in September last year when a 250-ton UPS Boeing jet, loaded with some 80 tons of cargo, made a historic landing at the DMIA from the United States.

The CDC is pushing to transform the former US military airport into the country’s “future premier gateway.”
----------------------------------------------------------
Did the runway fall into disrepair? After Pinautbo blew its top the Americans cleaned it and CRK was already being used as a diversion airport from MNL?. C-5 Galaxies were able to land there and those are larger than the 747!

Let me start off with this one, taken 23 February 2004:
http://gallery.cybertarp.com/albums/userpics/22352/crk.jpg

Some 2000 aerials (Mike Ward's):
http://www.clarkab.org/photos/a08.jpg http://www.clarkab.org/photos/a28.jpg http://www.clarkab.org/photos/a29.jpg http://www.clarkab.org/photos/a50.jpg

man, a lot of space for an int'l airport. but isn't the PAF HQed there?

I think the HQ of the PAF is in Villamor AB (MNL), but they have an "Air Force City" in Clark. I don't think military aircraft are stationed in CRK.

wow! it's very big... just imagine if the place is developed! anyway, does the airport already serve passenger planes?

I think the HQ of the PAF is in Villamor AB (MNL), but they have an "Air Force City" in Clark. I don't think military aircraft are stationed in CRK.

you could be right. but i do think some PAF planes are based in Clark. im just not sure if the planes based fly...

Guiao wants Clark Field
as new sports mecca
Posted: 0:38 AM (Manila Time) | Feb. 04, 2004
Inquirer News Service

NOT even the failed bid to bring the 23rd Southeast Asian Games to the heart of Pampanga has dampened Red Bull coach Yeng Guiao's vision to turn the province into the country's next sports mecca.

Guiao on Tuesday reiterated a much-ignored but highly appropriate call for the construction of a modern sports facility inside the vast Clark Field in Angeles City.


It may be a daunting task, especially on the financial side, but it can be done, according to Guiao, a Pampanga provincial board member.

"You should have vision and determination to put it to reality," said Guiao in Tuesday's PSA Forum at the Manila Pavilion.

Lack of time and resources to build a sports complex in the former US air force base doomed Pampanga's bid to become the main hub of next year's edition of the SEA Games to be held in the country for the third time.

Instead, Manila will again be the site of most of the action, with satellite venues in nearby areas, including Pampanga, hosting some events.

But Guiao is looking beyond the SEAG.

"The construction is not only meant for the SEA Games, but for the country to really have a modern sports facility. Are we going to always rely on the old Rizal Memorial?

"With a modern facility, we can afford to host other sports events. We can even host the Asian Games, why not? That's why I think this is the right time to seriously consider the idea," added the son of the late Pampanga governor Bren Guiao in the forum sponsored by Agfa Colors and Red Bull.

Guiao bared that Manny Angeles, Clark Development Corp. president, has already offered about 100 hectares inside Clark as possible site for the sports complex.

Funding is the only major concern said Guiao, adding some three billion pesos may be needed.

"In this aspect, you just have to be more creative. You have to convince investors and the government itself. It all depends on the arrangement, how much one party will have to spend, how much one gets, among others," said the former Philippine Basketball League commissioner.

For next year's SEA Games, Guiao said Clark and Subic, a former US naval base in Zambales, are ideal sites for events like archery, cycling, billiards, table tennis, boxing and marathon.

I really like Subic, people are well-disciplined and the place is so clean. They have GPS (Global Positioning System), local version of Rescue911, etc. Only, their malls closed early.

:yes: Subic people should set an example to other pinoys, especially those living in MM.

Awesome pics, Sunking! First time i've seen good quality aerials of DMIA. Its so big! There is so much room for a big international airport. I kinda wish the parallel runways were on the sides though, with the terminal in the middle like Changi. DMIA's runways are right next to each other. Oh well, at least it has parallel runways...


Asiana Airlines (Korean) flies to DMIA, btw...

I really wish that we can have a new stadia....just like Athens and Beijing. For me it's either Clark or Subic ang pinaka- appropriate site of a new sports complex...lots of spaces and a very organized community.

I agree. Clark should have a world-class sports complex, featuring a stadium, swimming complex, tennis courts, etc. But i dont think it should be in the magnitude of Olympic preparations like Athens and Beijing. They should just build a good sports complex for future sporting events like SEA games, Asian Games and maybe the Olympics in the future.

nice idea. :okay:

Subic-clark Tarlac Expressway Project

After having completed the task of converting military baselands into productive industrial, commercial, residential and tourism sites, BCDA is now setting its sight on regional development. The Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway project paves the way for BCDA’s venture into full-blown development.

This US$374.78 million or Php 18.74 billion road network aims to provide a direct link among industrial, economic and tourism zones in the Central Luzon region, specifically Clark Special Economic Zone, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Luisita Industrial Park in Tarlac and the Bataan Technology Park. The idea is to create a whole new growth center that will provide Philippine industry with a venue for trade. The 94.5 kilometer, 4-lane Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway will serve as the backbone of this new economic growth corridor.

Great, especially for boosting trade and investment between the two cities.:okay:

So has this started? It was delayed for a while, so has it started right now?

I agree. Clark should have a world-class sports complex, featuring a stadium, swimming complex, tennis courts, etc. But i dont think it should be in the magnitude of Olympic preparations like Athens and Beijing. They should just build a good sports complex for future sporting events like SEA games, Asian Games and maybe the Olympics in the future.


it'd be nice to have all those things. however to build one you need the demand, not the want only.

when you say Clark you mean Angeles right?

@GreyX - the SCTEX hasn't begun construction yet cause the gov't is still negotiating with the winning contractor for a lower price. they bid P11B but the gov't wants it down to P9B or P10B, I think... cause they'd only have P7B left for phase II (Clark-Tarlac) if it was priced like that....

Good news to here for Clark and Subic! :drunk:

And there are not PAF aircraft permanently stationed in Clark.

Good news to here for Clark and Subic! :drunk:

And there are not PAF aircraft permanently stationed in Clark.
nice. then region 4 (southern tagalog region) would see some nice competition from region 3 (central luzon). the way i see it, region 4 is getting the bulk of all the investments coming into the country right now.

do all planes returning to NAIA due to problems return to Clark instead? i remember one plane touched down in Clark while it was around the MM area

nice. then region 4 (southern tagalog region) would see some nice competition from region 3 (central luzon). the way i see it, region 4 is getting the bulk of all the investments coming into the country right now.true.. the govt should now think of promoting Subic and Clark much more.. at the moment the only main investors are industrial. we need to get much more commercial interest in clark especially for it to develop quicker.. with faster development of a Clark CBD, the govt will hav no choice but to step up the pace in considering and implementing the "Clark Possible Capital" proposal :D

Not all planes are diverted to Clark if MNL closes, some are diverted to Subic and I even remember some diverting to Cebu.

Yeah, in many cases, flights are diverted to Cebu.

Asiana, Asian Spirit start Seoul-Boracay flights via Clark

By JOJO DUE
TODAY Correspondent

CLARK FIELD, Pampanga - An agreement of cooperation to conduct flights from Korea to Clark and from Clark to the world-famous island resort of Boracay was signed on Friday by officials of Korea’s Asiana Airlines, the Philippines’s Asian Spirit Airlines, the Clark Development Corp. (CDC) and the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport Authority (DMIAA).

Under the agreement, Asiana will bring in tourists from Korea to the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) in Clark, and tourists interested in going to the beach will be flown by the local Asian Spirit to the Caticlan Airport in Aklan en route to Boracay at the cost of P2,650 for a one-way ticket.

CDC Executive Vice President Victor Jose Luciano, DMIAA General Manager Bienvenido Manga, Asiana Regional Manager Hyunil Kim and Asian Spirit Executive Vice President Jack Po signed the agreement with CDC President Emmanuel Angeles and other officials of the four entities as witnesses.

The maiden Clark-Caticlan flight left at 11 a.m. on Friday loaded with tourists that arrived aboard Asiana at 1 am on Friday. Succeeding twice-weekly flights leave at the same time on Mondays and Fridays.

“Our Clark-Caticlan flights will complement Asiana in Clark as the tourists no longer have to go to Manila to get to Boracay. It will also make Boracay accessible to Pampanga folk. This way, we hope to contribute to tourism in Clark, Pampanga and the rest of Central Luzon,” Po said after the signing.

For its part, Kim of Asiana Airlines said similar or better partnerships such as the Asian Spirit cooperation effort are being planned to help boost Clark as an alternate airport and in the future, the country’s premier gateway.

Asiana currently conducts two flights a week to the DMIA from the Incheon International Airport in Korea this month until July 18 with the 260-seater Boeing 767. On July 20 the airline will switch to the 177-seater A321 and increase flights to five times a week in time for the summer vacation in Korea.

Po said they are ready to increase the frequency of their Clark-Caticlan flights as Asiana increases its flights from Korea to accommodate and complement the arrival of tourists who would want to go to Boracay.

The Asian Spirit official also said they are considering the DMIA as the hub of their Northern Philippine operations that would provide flights to the Laoag and Baguio airports aside from planning talks for the conduct of Clark-Cebu flights in the future.

CDC President Angeles, meanwhile, said the new Clark-Boracay flight would spawn a lot of opportunities for business and employment.

“This will help in the government’s efforts to provide employment and business opportunities for the people in and around Clark, particularly with President Arroyo’s program of providing one million jobs a year,” Angeles said following the signing.

He added that the development also boosts the aerotropolis vision for Clark, an airport-driven economy that would spill over a 60-mile radius from Clark and create business opportunities and jobs in the area.

Caticlan? i guess that's in Aklan, but where? Kalibo?

Caticlan is on mainland Aklan right across from Boracay. It's the town where you ride the boat to get to the beaches. It has a small airport for small aircraft and chartered flights.

Indeed Caticlan is the main point of entry for visitors entering Boracay. Sort of off topic but, Boracay is just beautiful. :D

thank god the gov't is finally going at full blast (well, almost) at promoting tourism in the country. I just came from Thailand and we got to see Bkk and phuket in the two weeks we were there. I really can't disagree that it was indeed nice but, personally, there seems to be so much more potential for the philippines in terms of tourism. I just, I dunno... became so mad at how they anually enjoy at least 12M tourists while we could have so so much more in store but only 2M come visit us every year... our boracay, palawan and even cebu have beaches a whole lot better than what I saw in phuket. we brought some sand home from there and we swapped it with my mom's friend who just came from boracay and, my god, phuket's patong beach's sand is practically gravel in comparison... we also have the rice terraces, baguio, the chocolate hills, mt. mayon, award-winning dive sites, the world famous manila bay sunset, more malls than bkk shoppers could ever imagine, ans so much more you couldn't even try to list here....

after seeing the extreme progress in bangkok, I really can't help but say that the new gov't HAS to get it's act together already and we all have to strive to develop the philippines. we can't afford to play games in politics no more. we're just quite too far behind now.... and it is no longer a joke. I can't wait til the day the entire skyway is finally completed or when we get our own subway (oh yeah, took the megatren today and it was awesome!!!!!! I'll post about it on the other thread later...).

I got to speak to a few foreign tourists from Europe recently and they say that as far as they're concerned, the biggest problem the Philippines has that prevents it from getting more tourists is not peace and order, infrastructure, or marketing, but the cost of getting here by air. As long as it's much cheaper to fly to Bangkok or KL, tourists will choose to go there. The government really has to find a way to make an airline ticket to the Philippines from anywhere in the world cost as much or only a little more than a comparable ticket to Bangkok and KL. 3 hours more or less flying time isn't much in the long haul!

As for shopping, another thing I always notice when shopping in other countries (ASEAN, HK, Australia) is how few local shoppers there are compared to here in the Philippines. They have so many boutiques and shops but they are really "linalangaw" (this is especially true in Singapore) compared to the ones we have here which always seem to have patrons. The same is true for restaurants, in Australia, most fine dining restaurants were barely a quarter full! And yet their economies are supposed to be dong much better!

yeah... in BKK, malls seem to be more frequented by tourists than locals... maybe cuz they have more high-end stores than the usual we get at SM. went to a place similar to our Podium/Rockwell/Shangrila and it had only around as many people the podium usually gets.

i dont think there's a European direct flight to Manila. :( if PAL manages to fly to Europe again, i think European tourists will fly back.

These are old but they were good news when I first heard it ... The emergence of a new metropolis would be a power driver in the development of our economy


-------------------------------------------------
BCDA
BCDA Press Statement
Friday, March 14, 2003



Spurred on by a vision of a mega-metropolis nestled right in the heart of Luzon, five Central Luzon governors have thrown their unequivocal support behind the soon-to-be operationalized Subic-Clark Alliance Development (SCAD) Corporation.

SCAD Corp. is the corporate vehicle through which the development program that aims to create a new economic growth corridor anchored on the two former US military bases will be driven.

Governors Tomas N. Joson III of Nueva Ecija, Vicente P. Magsaysay of Zambales, Leonardo B. Roman of Bataan and representatives of Pampanga governor Manuel M. Lapid and Aurora governor Ramoncita P. Ong, yesterday expressed their all out support for the undertaking.

The creation of the P31.25-billion SCAD joint venture was approved by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo last January upon the joint recommendation of the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA), the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), Clark Development Corporation (CDC) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

The BCDA, SBMA and the CDC had earlier forged an agreement to manage and operate the BCDA's Subic-Clark-Tarlac Toll Road, the SBMA's seaport, and the CDC-managed Diosdado Macapagal International Airport.

SCAD Corp. will enable Subic and Clark to synchronize efforts in developing a regional logistics hub that will result in the complementation and sharing of resources, infrastructure and facilities between the two zones thereby propelling economic growth in Central Luzon.

Nueva Ecija governor and Central Luzon Investment Coordinating Council chair Tomas Joson III said that "the SCAD program will hasten our own plans in Nueva Ecija of attracting foreign investors into our province."

Zambales governor Vicente Magsaysay recalled having approved and endorsed the SCAD Program when he sat as chair of the Regional Development Council (RDC).

"The SCAD program has the full support of all the Central Luzon governors, we all approved of it as one body in the RDC and we in the Province of Zambales are all behind this because this will be consistent with our own plans and aspirations for economic development in the area," Magsaysay said.

The Subic-Clark-Tarlac Toll Road Project being undertaken by BCDA is the main component of the SCAD program. The project will involve the construction of the four-lane, 89.3-kilometer Subic-Clark-Tarlac expressway that will create the synergy between the two growth areas.

The toll road is designed to integrate and provide a direct and efficient link between Clark and Subic and the rest of Central Luzon. The toll road will form part of an extensive road network that will link the northeastern and southwestern portions of central Luzon.

Bataan governor Leonardo Roman expressed his constituency's full support for the toll road project. "We're publicizing this as the Bataan-Subic-Clark-Tarlac Road, we feel that we're part of this project," Roman said."

The transfer of operations and assets of Subic and Clark to the new joint venture corporation is expected to occur within the next ten months meaning SCAD Corp. could go into full swing by the end of the year.

BCDA president and CEO Rufo Colayco, SBMA chair Felicito C. Payumo, CDC chair Rizalino S. Navarro, and CDC president and CEO Dr. Emmanuel Y. Angeles were on hand as the provincial executives voiced out their full support for the undertaking and were all elated at the response that the SCAD program elicited from the governors.
-----------------------------------
Central Luzon folk commit support to Global Gateways initiative



Wednesday, March 10, 2004



Private and public sector groups from all seven provinces in Central Luzon have agreed today to commit to a regional development program hinged on the maximization of the resources of the Subic port, Diosdado Macapagal-Arroyo International Airport, and the soon to be constructed Subic-Clark-Tarlac Toll Road during a summit dubbed “Global Gateways: The emergence of a New Metropolis”.

Renato S. Tayag, Jr., convenor of the summit, said that “The Global Gateways Initiative is essential to the realization of Central Luzon’s full economic potential. Not many provinces have the same infrastructure advantages as Region III, and with the deep sea port in Subic, the international airport in Clark, and the construction of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac toll road that would link the two facilities with the rest of the region, we would like to take a more pro-active role in order to ensure that all aspects of development are carefully planned and taken into consideration.”

The summit was the culmination of a series of workshops that were held in each of the provinces of Central Luzon in order to develop a regional plan that would ensure that the Global Gateways of Subic and Clark.

The Global Gateways initiative was borne out of the vision to build world-class infrastructures that would transform the Subic and Clark Corridor into a globally competitive, multi-modal distribution and international logistics hub and regional growth center made possible by the synergizing effect of the construction of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Toll Road, a high-speed road network that is expected to spur economic life in Central Luzon.

Representatives from the region’s business sector, local government units, regional line agencies, civil society groups, farmers and fisher folks, together with local government and various community leaders led by the provincial governors, mayors and congressmen, have drawn up a regional resolution to work towards the approval of a Global Gateways Development Program.

In a two-page resolution presented to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the representatives of the various provinces, led by Governor Josefina M. dela Cruz of Bulacan, Gov. Tomas N. Joson III of Nueva Ecija, Gov. Manuel M. Lapid of Pampanga, Gov. Leonardo B. Roman of Bataan, Gov. Ramoncita P. Ong of Aurora, Gov. Jose V. Yap of Tarlac, Gov. Vicente P. Magsaysay of Zambales, and Congressman Oscar S. Rodriguez, Chairman of the Central Luzon Congressional Caucus, pledged to encourage the national government into supporting the development program.

The participants also committed to “Strengthen multi-sectoral partnerships among the principal stakeholders and ensure the equitable distribution of the region’s economic outputs through an efficient and transparent bureaucracy”.

Caticlan? i guess that's in Aklan, but where? Kalibo?

Caticlan is closer to Boracay, but smaller than Kalibo. Only small planes such as Asian Spirit planes can land there. Kalibo is larger, but further to Boracay so visitors have to ride a bus to Caticlan to take a boat to Boracay...

I heard (or read somewhere) that there are plans on building new airports in Iloilo and Bacolod, with capabilities to receive international flights. Looks like the goal is to have every island (the major ones at least) in the archipelago have an "International Airport."

Some Subic pics

The Subic Bay Yacht Club:
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid118/pe9aa66369d8d84dfec04f784f4a93627/f8802592.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid118/pb755e697a749072b1a13ea1f213aea8a/f8802559.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid118/p8fb8bd7ece6c3d0ba342112edc2b2f47/f8802386.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid118/pe2a6653beebdaeba4ac8c1ba8ccb3831/f880225e.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid118/pda90e7d1c602b20e7f9fdd4665bac1ca/f8802346.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid118/p862c13eb8d0272010ba867ac311e8cc0/f8802163.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid118/pc1a4935ae5f2aa76467b34d4005a3e0a/f8801f7a.jpg
Wasn't able to get a good shot of the terminal/runway:
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid118/p1fe9fe8e231b78fde96c1175ce344fc2/f8801ebb.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid118/p410ef096719ea3aacd58413d51cdaea8/f8801e1f.jpg
Subic Expressway:
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid118/pe4cf402b1985c747effc2c0164517599/f8801de5.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid118/pef255bfe116c30c5246c479ed34b67ca/f8801da4.jpg

holy crap... I wash the entire Metro Manila was as clean and as organized as Subic! awesome pictures...!!! where does the Subic Expressway run?

That's the Subic-Tipo Expressway, it's basically a bypass, you won't have to go through Olongapo City to get to Subic.

holy crap... I wash the entire Metro Manila was as clean and as organized as Subic! awesome pictures...!!! where does the Subic Expressway run?
yeah eh. i've been to subic though and i wasn't very impressed. sure the streets are clean and all but except for some small areas, it actually looks like a small barrio. manila's bayside is so much better than subic bayside. manila's malls are superior no question about it. subic still has a long way to go but definitely, the potential is there. :D

You guys should have seen the original plans for the Subic Bay Yacht Club site back in the late 90s, there was supposed to be a 5 star hotel, an upscale mall, and a boardwalk of shops and restaurants. You can still see this on the model. I''m connected with the mother company of the Subic Bay Waterfront Development Corporation which runs the yacht club, and we even got to go to Australia just to work on the audiovisual presentation for the development. They had some really grand plans for Subic then. Unfortunately all the loans for the projects were dollar-denominated so when the currency tanked, so did their plans. They still own the land so there's still a possibility of things pushing through but only if the economy does REALLY well and the company's other businesses earn huge profits.

The main club house now is actually a bit rundown and they had to close some of their food outlets. It's still the classiest and snootiest place in Subic though. You can go celebrity watching every week.

i saw that expressway that lead to Subic. how much did it cost? and how long was it?

I first got to visit the Yacht Club when the Villavicencios invited us for lunch aboard their yacht, the Club was pretty new then, now, well they just serve iced tea in plastic cups.

that would've been awesome to have 5-star hotels and malls there. there was an article for a cruise ship port in subic sometime in april. maybe when more toursits start coming into northern luzon by plane in clark or ship in subic, those plans may push through. hopefully Star Cruises will come to Subic in the future...

@renell - I read in an old Nov. Manila Bulletin article that Phase I of the NLEX rehab (which is what's being implemented now) included a 16km(?) Tipo-Subic expressway - so that was how I guess it was built. it says it was done in 1996 still. Phase II is some 29km. extension connecting it to C-5 and the Phase III extension from Subic to SBMA. I doubt they'll have to push it up to Clark cause the SCTEx should take care of that...

hmm.. so the Tipo-Subic expressway is the first step to connecting Subic with NLEX?

Sunking, how do you know the Villavicencios? My family's been working with them for ages. I think they already sold that yacht. The beef tapa at the club house is still the best though.

Actually, my dad is a good friend of the dad of Vic-Vic's wife.

Which one? Hehe.

:D

hmm.. so the Tipo-Subic expressway is the first step to connecting Subic with NLEX?

yeah... probably. so the Tipo-Subic section isn't connected to NLEX yet? is Tipo at/past the end of the NLEX? if not, maybe it'll branch out midway of the NLEX as part of Phase III. so then they'll connect the NLEX to Tipo-Subic expressway (either branching out or at the norh end) if it's not already connected now, and then the Tipo-Subic Ex will stretch out to the SBMA business parks and stuff. from there, they'll somehow connect it to the SCTEX....

hmm.. so the Tipo-Subic expressway is the first step to connecting Subic with NLEX?

technically no, but the link between Subic-Tipo and the NLEX is included in the Phase 3 of the North Luzon Tollways Project, a flagship project of the then Pres. Estrada. It is supposedly a 24-month project that was initiated in 2000, but since there was a turn of events, the completion of the project is obviously behind schedule.
Phase 3 of the NLT project is the construction of the 67 km. Sn. Simon-Guagua-Dinalupihan and Subic-Tipo link.
the completion of the NLT project will serve as an efficient and reliable trunk line to the fast developing Central Luzon "W" Growth Corridor, the counterpart of the Calabarzon in the south.
part of the Subic-Tipo road is connected to the Subic-Clark Toll Road Project that will provide the shortest direct and efficient link among the 3 prime economic zones in central luzon: SuBic Bay Special Economic and Freeport Zone, the Clark Special Economic Zone, and the Central Techno Park (Hacienda Luisita).

Here's a picture from the happier times of the PAF, check out the new F-5:
http://zcap.freeyellow.com/fwcov01C.JPG

nice.

what year was that taken?....

1972.

I saw that picture in the unofficial Clark AB website.

check out the new F-5

lol....back when it was new...not second hand from South Vietnam, Jordan, Taiwan, or South Korea or 40 years old with worn out avionics but new. man those were the days... :(

1972.
err, grabe! bago nga! :lol:

RP offers Subic as storage for Libyan oil
Posted: 5:17 PM (Manila Time) | Jun. 09, 2004
Agence France-Presse

THE PHILIPPINES has offered the former US naval base at Subic Bay north of Manila as a storage facility for Libyan oil for distribution in Asia, the foreign department said Wednesday.

Foreign Secretary Delia Albert, who is on an official trip to Tripoli, made the proposal during a meeting with Abdullah Salem el-Badri, chairman of the state-run National Oil Corporation of Libya, it said.

El-Badri said that after the US government lifted economic sanctions on Libya, a number of foreign corporations were already looking at exploration and energy projects there.

"I suggested to Mr. El-Badri the availability of storage facilities in the Philippines, especially at Subic, for Libyan oil exports to Asia. He assured me that this proposal would be considered in the long term," Albert said in a statement.

Subic, 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of Manila, was a US naval base until the Philippine government ended its lease in 1992. It has been transformed into a freeport and economic zone but its storage facilities remain unused.

"Ensuring the Philippines petroleum needs is an important aspect of our long-term economic interests that we should address with oil-importing nations like Libya," Albert said.

Energy ministers from Southeast Asian countries are currently in Manila for a meeting aimed at securing energy supply in the region in the face of terrorist threats and rising prices of oil.

Countries that import most of their oil requirements, like the Philippines, remain particularly vulnerable to price fluctuations, officials said.

The Philippines has been slowly diversifying its oil supply in recent years and is now importing cheaper oil from neighboring Asian countries.

Taken from INQ7.net

the only reason we had our hands in those F5's were because we had Americans in Clark and Subic.

:lol: yeah back then were the happy times...brand new F-5s. And right now they are still our primary fighter jets.

the only reason we had our hands in those F5's were because we had Americans in Clark and Subic.
And if they were still around we'd be having F-16s/F-18s floating around the PAF inventory. Oh those were the golden ages...

So you'd rather have an official American presence in our country, contributing to economic subservience and the violence on a great many women in Angeles City bars, just so our air force can have cool planes?

Well of course the economic development of Clark and Subic overweighs PAF getting free Falcons or Hornets! I didn't lose all my common sense yet. :)

http://www.bcda.gov.ph/images/global02.jpghttp://www.bcda.gov.ph/images/global03.jpg
http://www.bcda.gov.ph/images/global04.jpghttp://www.bcda.gov.ph/images/global05.jpg
http://www.bcda.gov.ph/images/global06.jpghttp://www.bcda.gov.ph/images/global07.jpg
http://www.bcda.gov.ph/images/global08.jpghttp://www.bcda.gov.ph/images/global09.jpg
http://www.bcda.gov.ph/images/global010.jpg

try reading..Its really interesting and facinating. I know the text is small, you might need to zoom. Pity i cant read some parts because it becomes blurry.

One big info-filled article you got there. :D Just imagine once we're like all old(er) and we look back to this day when the development of Clark and Subic was on its first steps...:D

Heres a article that gives Subic a point for tourism:

2 million tourists storm former US naval base

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT -- The former American naval base here has attracted 2.3 million tourists during the first four months of 2004-an 11 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Chair Felicito Payumo said the increase could be attributed to the recent opening of new attractions at the freeport.


"We have opened new attractions here for everybody to enjoy, and these have attracted more local and foreign tourists to come down and take a bite out of the unique Subic experience," Payumo said in a statement. "But the one thing we are proud of sharing is that, when they're here, they know that they are safe and secure."

Armin Santos, SBMA tourism department manager, said 2,374,617 visitors were recorded from January to April. He said last year's figure was 2,141,306. Records showed that in March alone, tourist arrivals hit a record high of 831,970, the highest in the four-month period.

Aside from the new attractions, both international and local tourists prefer to visit Subic because of its proximity to Metro Manila and the security situation within the freeport, Santos said.

Among the new places that have opened to tourists are Grande Island, Zoobic Safari, Heroes' Trail and the Butterfly Garden, the Subic-Bataan Forest Night Adventure, a Seattle's Best coffee shop and Pier One restaurant.

"We are looking forward to a higher increase in visitors (with the) new attractions," Santos said.

Other attractions at the freeport are the eco-tourism based facilities like the new eco-workshop training center, the Ocean Adventure Marine Theme Park, Jest Camp and El Kabayo Stables.

He said the SBMA has been preparing for the influx of tourists.

"We are taking on a new development strategy in the rehabilitation of old and dilapidated former United States military housing units here to enhance their attractiveness," he said.

Some 200 housing units located in the Binictican and Kalayaan areas have been undergoing major renovations to accommodate tourists.

Here's a 2004 picture of Subic Bay International, the former Cubi Point Naval Air Station, taken by M Radzi Desa:
http://gallery.cybertarp.com/albums/userpics/22352/sfsrplb.jpg

i have a question..where is clark / subic located in the philippines? sorry..

intereseting article! it fully lays out what the BCDA has in mind... I just hope it doesn't get shelved like so many other development projects. this thing has everything we need to get moving! I like the way Colayco looks into wide-ranged, long term solutions that can really work. I mean, if all these actually push through, we'd have something as good as Hong Kong and Singapore, except twice the capacity and twice the potential. And if all this does work, they could be redone in Mindanao and Visayas as well. I'm desperately pleading the opposition does nothing to screw the country up anytime soon. and I just hope the Northrail and SCTEx are finally moving along.

good news for Subic... I'm really, really hoping that in 6 or so years we'll see the world-class seaport, airport, railway and expressways completed up in central luzon.

this is similar to that article above, so if you can't read that one, here...

HOW TO USE SUBIC & CLARK TO HELP TURN AROUND THE
NATIONAL ECONOMY

It is Urgent to Build on Government's Early Success in Improving National Image

The Macapagal-Arroyo administration has significantly lifted the image of the Philippines. The prinicipal gains have been in terms of much improved governance, specially on economic matters such as fiscal and budgetary discipline.

The administration must now seek to change investors' seriously negative perception of the Philippines as a place in which to locate industries. Otherwise, the country will continue to lose employment through the demise of its industries.

One way to do so is to launch a significant, credible project that signals a bold initiative that addresses the fundamental concerns of industrial investors.

This outlines a scheme by which Subic and Clark can be used to mobilize the resources of Metro Manila and Central Luzon to attract investments (and thereby generate employment) in industry, agriculture and services. Preliminary discussions with both government officials as well as private sector executives in countries such as Singapore and Japan indicate considerable interest in the concept.

Philippine Industries Need Help to Compete

Millions of Filipinos need to work abroad because grossly insufficient jobs have been generated by hopelessly uncompetitive Philippine industries. This can only get worse in the open markets environment to which the Philippines has committed itself under the World Trade Organization.

A large part of the problem is that doing business in the Philippines costs a lot more than it does in other countries. The woefully inadequate infrastructure and choking bureaucracy create bottlenecks that both increase costs as well as cause delay.

Recently, even products that used to be sourced from local companies, for example, clothing and household products, have increasingly been imported by retailers, in order to provide lower prices as well as better quality to consumers. At the rate this is happening, there could very well come a time when there would be virtually no manufacturing jobs left in the country. Many more millions of Filipinos will have to find jobs abroad.

Subic-Clark is the Answer

In practical terms, it is impossible to fix the bottlenecks in Metro Manila for it to ever become a place in which industries can compete effectively in the modern global markets. Much better to look North to Subic and Clark.

The two former US bases represent significant, high-quality infrastructure that would take billions of dollars to replicate. Linked to each other, they offer a unique opportunity for logistical synergy.


Let Subic Replace Manila Port

Largely because of the shallow draft in Manila Bay, virtually all goods shipped to or from the US and Europe must be transshipped through Singapore, Hong Kong or Taipei. This creates extra cost and extends turnaround time for Philippine enterprises.

In addition, the hopeless crowding around the Manila Port makes it impossible to move goods in and out of the port efficiently.

On the other hand, Subic is a natural deepwater port that can easily accommodate large modern container vessels. It can readily be equipped to be a top-class container port not only to handle goods destined for the Philippines, but also for transshipment to regional destinations.

Let Clark Airport Become a Regional Cargo Hub

The New Technology has caused a sea change in the distribution of goods. With faster communication comes the need for faster delivery. Hence, the demand for break-bulk cum consolidation services at strategically located airports will grow literally by leaps and bounds in the next decade.

Clark is ideally situated to become a regional logistics center of the sort that has emerged in places like Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Let Industries Locate Next to the Subic-Clark Axis

The soon-to-be-constructed Subic-Clark Expressway will link a natural deep water port with the finest airport in the country. Together, these three elements will create a new corridor which, if properly planned and managed, could become a modern, efficient venue for all sorts of product and service industries able to compete in the global markets.

To ensure this desired result, it is essential that the principal road arteries and land-use patterns be defined from the start. Otherwise, the exercise would merely create another sorry mess like Metro Manila.

Let Food be Produced Next Door

Subic and Clark also happen to be located in the Great Central Plain of Luzon, which is in turn, immediately North of Metro Manila. The flat lands of Region 3 have long been known to be the finest agricultural lands in the country, but have been grossly underutilized during the last few decades.

With irrigation and flood control, these lands could produce perhaps as much as ten times the food that they do at present. They could not only feed the rest of the country but even generate export earnings.

Let The Pieces Fit Together

In brief, there is a golden opportunity to create an efficient agro-industrial-logistical complex immediately North of Metro Manila. Where food would be grown on the plains, processed in the industrial center, and both consumed in Metro Manila as well as exported through modern sea and airports.

Obviously, that would not be all. Semiconductors, Information Technology, and all the other manufacturing and service activities that are these days in constant search for ever increasing productivity -- the envisioned complex would beckon.

Subic and Clark, being significant existing infrastructure nodes located so strategically, represent a unique opportunity to mount a highly doable and credible initiative. One that can quickly transform the perception of the Philippines as a whole.


Let Government(s) and Private Sector Get Together

From preliminary discussions, it is evident that this could be precisely the sort of signature project that strategic investors such as Temasek Holdings ("Singapore, Inc.") might find to be of interest.

On the other hand, the Philippines could tap vastly more funding than it has from JBIC for projects such as roads, irrigation and flood control.

Ideally, the Philippine Government would undertake with a Temasek (and/or some similar entity from the developed world), a joint venture which would undertake the development and administration of:

· Subic and Clark sea and airports;
· The highway network to link them together, as well as to;
· A land bank to create industrial and service centers, along with the corresponding residential elements.

To ensure success of the project, it is crucial that not only the development but also the administration of key elements such as the seaport, airport, and road networks be placed under the responsibility of the proposed joint venture.

Although agricultural development has been mentioned, it is not proposed to be undertaken under the roof of the proposed joint venture. Rather, the joint venture would actively cooperate with the relevant government entities for the purpose.

It is reasonable to expect that after the initial period, the joint venture would have the ability to acquire funding from the capital markets. Thus, the Philippine Government would not only accomplish its fundamental responsibility for generating employment, but will also own significant participation in what could easily become one of flagship corporations in the country.

Finally, the success of this "experiment" could very well prove to be the beacon for nation wide reform -- living proof that quality governance can be practiced in the Philippines just as well as in other admired nations such as Singapore. In the end, that is the key to generating the livelihood that at present, millions of Filipinos can only find in foreign lands.


RUFO COLAYCO
President & CEO
Bases Conversion Development Authority

thank god the government put Colayco in there... he should become the president, man...

i have a question..where is clark / subic located in the philippines? sorry..
Look at the map in the article GreyX posted. :)

Clark is in Angeles City, Pampanga while Subic is in the outskirts of Olongapo City, Zambales and a portion of Morong, Bataan....

If this major project boosts up... boy... this would be very beneficial not only in Luzon but the whole country as well..... plus... Subic needs to come back on its feet...

greyx, that's a great article, thanks for sharing that. i will print that and read it =)

Airbus considers maintenance hub in Clark
Posted: 2:57 AM | Jun. 23, 2004

Clarissa S. Batino
Inquirer News Service

LIKE its American rival Boeing Co., European aircraft maker Airbus Industrie is considering setting up a maintenance hub in the Clark Special Economic Zone, a former US air base north of Manila, Clark International Airport Corp. president Adelberto Yap said.

Discussions with both Airbus and Boeing are preliminary and exploratory at this point, Yap said.

Airbus is building the biggest commercial aircraft, dubbed as A380, a double-decker plane that it plans to launch in 2006 through a commercial flight of Singapore Airlines.

"I can say that they are seriously considering Clark as an alternative maintenance hub," he said of Airbus. "Given that Airbus is launching a new wide-bodied, double-decker aircraft in the next three years, it is looking at sites where it could do some repair and maintenance work aside from Singapore."

He estimated that Airbus or Boeing would each need about 250 million dollars to put up a maintenance and logistics facility in Clark, a 2,750-hectare complex with two parallel, 3.2-kilometer runways that can accommodate large aircraft.

Clark also has a passenger terminal building that can serve 500 passengers an hour, or 1.5 million passengers a year.

Yap said the government would be willing to provide incentives to locators at the Clark airport.

He added that the government would prefer to let private companies improve the Clark airport rather than itself raise the money to put up the facility, although it was considering soft financing from multilateral agencies to fund the upgrading of Clark. "We would prefer to have the facilities in Clark built under a B-O-T (build-operate-transfer) scheme or even B-O-O (build-operate-own)," he said.

With the Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport mothballed indefinitely, the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Clark is the government's alternative site to support the requirements of Metro Manila.

The plan to upgrade the Clark airport includes adding a runway to accommodate more aircraft and expanding the hangar to attract maintenance service companies. The government plans to borrow initially 70 million dollars to fund the upgrade.

Another Inquirer source said, "Clark has to have another runway. The airport has to expand to accommodate the requirements of potential locators, including FedEx."

Cargo carrier and logistics firm Federal Express plans to transfer its regional facility to Clark once its newly extended contract at the Subic Bay Freeport, west of Manila, expires in 2010. It has reserved about 50 hectares of land in Clark.

Before the government firms up the expansion plans, Clark airport authorities would like to solicit interest from potential investors as a kind of pre-selling. With INQ7.net

that'd be awesome! even if flag carrier PAL can't afford an A380, we'd have chances of seeing them hovering over Manila! haha...!

but seriously, it would be great to have more and more investors pouring money into Clark... then one or two from the private sector might volunteer to put up that airport, since "the government would prefer to let private companies improve the Clark airport rather than itself raise the money to put up the facility".

it's just weird though. why would a tiny airport like Clark need three runways when NAIA can manage with one(?)?

maybe three runways in the future would be feasible. But if we talk about it now, it seems impractical. There is just no traffic or at least minimal if there actually is.

NAIA has two runways but are not efficiently placed. PLus the complex is too crowded already.

BCDA altered Clark-Subic toll project, says CDC

The Philippine Star 06/25/2004

CLARK, Pampanga – Officials of Clark Development Corp. (CDC) assailed yesterday the plan of the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) to bypass vital infrastructure projects under the approved development plan of the Clark-Subic Tarlac toll road project.

CDC president Emmanuel Y. Angeles said that BCDA has altered the original detailed engineering study conducted by the Japanese consulting firm, deferring certain interchanges infrastructure projects, including ramps and Friendship interchange, that provide direct access to the Clark Special Economic Zone (CSEZ) and Diosdado Macapagal International Airport.

Angeles said the bypass plan of the BCDA on the vital interchanges will adversely affect government plans to transfer the premier international airport to DMIA. DMIA was designated to be the country’s premier gateway and is expected to complement the development of Central and Northern Luzon.

In the revised design for the Clark portion of the Clark-Subic-Tarlac Expressway project, BCDA deferred Friendship interchange, the ramps in the Spur Road and Dolores interchanges for cost cutting reasons.

The said changes are being implemented by BCDA without prior consultation with CDC, Angeles said. This, he said, would lead to more traffic congestion and cause inconvenience to motorists who regularly ply the Friendship Gate of Clark.

In his letter to BCDA president Rufo Colayco, Angeles said "final design approved by the National Economic and Development Authority-Investment Coordination Committee (NEDA-ICC) included the Friendship Interchange, direct access to/from Clark from/to the Clark logistics Interchange, and the three crossings beneath and perpendicular to the alignments of the Spur Road section of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SECTex)."

Unfortunately, due to the escalation in project costs, we were informed that the above mentioned sections of the SCTex project were either deferred or not included in the implementation of the project," Angeles told Colayco in the letter.

He added that "it is crucial that the SCTex facilitate direct access to and from Clark and conductivity and that access between the DMIA, Logistics Center at Clark, and the proposed North Rail be ensured."

The CDC president said that he understands the budgetary constraints and proposed instead to proceed with the Friendship interchange and the Clark Logistics Center and defer Spur Road and Dolores Interchange to allow for the direct access to and from Clark.

Angeles urged Colayco to grant the request to retain the Friendship Interchange in the project implementation and the complete construction of the Clark Logistics Interchange as originally designed as well as the inclusion of the construction of two underground crossings perpendicular to the Spur Road.

The Clark-Subic Toll Road project fund was approved after CDC agreed to make the 239 hectares inside the 4,400 hectares of the Clark main zone as equity counterpart of BCDA worth P2 billion to fund the full implementation of the vital infrastructure projects in Central Luzon.

Meanwhile, stakeholders at CSEZ and those from surrounding towns suspect the unfavorable changes made by BCDA were largely influenced by certain interest groups based in Calabarzon and Metro Manila who have been silently opposing the development of DMIA, CSEZ and Central Luzon which they consider as direct competition.

The group said the "multi-billion-peso expressway should be called Subic-Tarlac Expressway instead if the project will not be reverted to its original design immediately."

the article above is ridiculous. it's very damn, i dont know what's BCDA is thinking, puro corruption eh........i hope they stick with the original plans if they want to develop both subic and clark

what the??? the whole point is to connect clark with subic! how the heck are they gonna that without an interchange going into clark? the CDC better get the BCDA to revert to the original plans...

exactly.....those people from BCDA makes me very angry!

exactly.....those people from BCDA makes me very angry!
as in :bash: :bash: :bash: hehehe. cool edmund...:D

Airbus denial of Philippines talks

Jun 25 2004

By David Jones Daily Post


AIRBUS says it has no plans to locate a maintenance hub at a former US Air Force base in the Philippines.

But the European aircraft maker says it is hoping to win orders from the two largest Philippine carriers as they start replacing their ageing fleets this year.

The president of the state-run Clark International Airport Corporation claimed the government was in preliminary talks with Airbus about setting up a maintenance centre, in an investment worth about £140m.

Adelberto Yap said the aircraft company, which has a thriving wingmaking plant at Broughton, Flintshire, was "seriously considering" the former American air force base as a major centre for civilian jet repairs and maintenance work.

Clark was one of the biggest US military bases outside the US before it was turned over to the Philippine government in 1992 and is already the Asian hub of global cargo firmUnited Parcel Service.

Airbus has won orders for its A380 super-jumbo from Middle and Far East airlines including Singapore Airlines, Emirates and Qantas.

The A380, which is due to come into service in two years time, is designed for hubto-hub operations and Airbus is increasingly targeting the lucrative Asia-Pacific market. It has also won orders from various airlines in the region for smaller planes.

But Airbus claimed reports that it was planning to use the Philippines as a repair and maintenance hub for the Asia/Pacific Rim region were wrong, adding: "There are no talks."

Reports from the country's capital Manila said Airbus hoped to win aircraft orders as Philippine Airlines and Cebu Air upgrade their fleets over a period of three years.

Anthony Phillips, Airbus regional spokesman, said: "We made a very competitive offer in terms of cost, reliability and passenger appeal."

Philippine Airlines is on an Airbus list of 28 companies that have committed to use the A320 aircraft in the future. The airline's existing fleet of 30 aircraft for local and overseas routes consists of Airbus and Boeing planes. Leases on more than 10 of its aircraft are to expire from this year.

Cebu Air said it will this year retire 12 DC-9 aircraft that are 25 to 27 years old and replace them with 14 jets of the 125-seat Boeing 717-200s or 134-seat Airbus A319.

The group said it would spend about £165m on the refleeting.

well... so much for Yap's dream!....

tsk tsk tsk.... too bad...

Airbus....NO. Is Boeing....YES?

Airbus Does this lots of time. They are in Early talks but u know they have to be sensitive about this stuff because they have creditors and stockholders to make happy. Any Leak can make the company go up and down. Expect to learn at a later month

The Good News: Airbus eyeing Clark as maintenance hub
source : www.gov.ph


The new wide-bodied double-decker aircraft, which European aircraft maker Airbus will launch soon, could hit the Philippines even before we know it.

This, after Airbus announced recently that it is seriously considering Clark Air Base in Pampanga as an alternative maintenance site outside of Singapore.

Clark International Airport Corp president Adelberto Yap said Airbus and Boeing needs about $250 million to put up a maintenance and logistics facility in the former American air base, which sits on a 2,750 hectare complex.

Clark has a two-parallel, 3.2 km runway that can accommodate large aircraft and an existing passenger terminal building that can serve 500 passengers an hour or 1.5 million passengers a year.

Airbus is building the biggest commercial aircraft dubbed as A380. The double-decker plane is to be launched in 2006 through a commercial flight of Singapore Airlines.

"Given that Airbus is launching a new wide-bodied, double-decker aircraft in the next three years, it is looking at sites where it could do some repair and maintenance work aside from Singapore," Yap said.

Clark’s strategic location, according to Yap, could be a plus factor for the former US airbase. He said the government is willing to provide incentives to locators at the Clark airport.

Recently, cargo carrier and logistics firm Federal Express has announced its plan to move its regional facility to Clark once its newly-extended contract with Subic Bay Freeport expires in 2010. It has reserved about 50 hectares in Clark.

Yap said the government prefers to let private companies improve the Clark airport under a build-operate-transfer (BOT) scheme or build-operate-own (BOO) rather than be the one to raise the money to put up the facility.

Clark has become the government’s alternative site to support the requirements of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport with the mothballing of NAIA Terminal 3 indefinitely.

"The government is considering soft financing from multi-lateral agencies to fund the upgrading of Clark," Yap said. "This would include putting up another runway to accommodate more aircraft and expanding the hangar to attract companies engaged in maintenance services."

Some $70 million is needed from multilateral lenders to fund the Clark airport upgrade.

released 6/26/2004


Which is totoo kaya :)

Airbus Does this lots of time. They are in Early talks but u know they have to be sensitive about this stuff because they have creditors and stockholders to make happy. Any Leak can make the company go up and down. Expect to learn at a later month

yeah... that was Yap's explanation in another article on INQ7 after airbus denied the negotiations...

Colayco: No change in expressway project plans
By Albert B. Lacanlale | SunStar Pampanga
Friday, June 25, 2004

THE Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) brushed off Thursday claims by officials of Clark Development Corporation (CDC) that it has altered the original design of the Clark-Subic-Tarlac Expressway Project (Sctep).

Rufo Colayco, BCDA president and CEO, said his office, which has initiated the Sctep, is not in any way deleting access roads of the Clark Special Economic Zone (CSEZ) to the inter-provincial highway.

Colayco said CDC officials, headed by their president Emmanuel Y. Angeles, may have been "misinformed or were given a wrong drawing of the project."

Angeles earlier said the BCDA has deferred certain interchange infrastructure projects that provide direct access to the CSEZ ecozone and the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA).

Angeles aired his concern that such "changes" in the original design, accordingly due to the BCDA's cost-cutting effort, would adversely affect government plans to transfer the premier international airport to DMIA.

In the purported revised design for Sctep's Clark portion, only one of the three originally approved interchanges was included in the final design - the Dolores Interchange. The other two, Friendship and Spur Road, were reportedly deferred.

However, Colayco said there was no such change in the plans. "Puwede ba naman naming pabayaan ang Clark (How can we leave Clark behind)?" he said.

The BCDA chief also said he would order an investigation to find out who "fed the wrong information" to the CDC.

"In the original drawings provided by our project team were specifications of Clark exits. We do not know who gave them (CDC officials) the wrong drawing. That is what we are trying to find out," Colayco added.

Colayco, who once served president of CDC, however said he does not feel bad with the statements issued by Angeles. Instead, he lauded the CDC officials for their vigilance on the project.

Asked about the progress in the Sctep plan, Colayco said budgetary constraints have already been addressed but is still being reviewed by the National Economic and Development Authority-Investment Coordination Committee (Neda-ICC).

"It is going through the normal processes, but everything is going smoothly," Colayco said.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
hopefully it was all just a misunderstanding. and that the buget concerns have indeed been worked out like Colayco says... praying this thing will start construction before the end of the year and be done by end of 2005 like planned... GMA's new 10-point program for the suceeding six years does include decongesting Metro Manila and further development of Subic and Clark...

Boeing, Airbus mull $250-M facility at Clark
By Ric Sapnu
The Philippine Star 07/02/2004

CLARK ZONE, Pampanga – Boeing and Airbus, the world’s biggest aviation firms, are planning to put up a $250-million maintenance and logistics facility at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) here.

Gen. Alberto Yap (ret.), president of Clark International Airport Corp. (CIACor), said here last week that Airbus officials are seriously considering Clark Special Economic Zone as an alternative maintenance site outside of Singapore.

Yap said Airbus is building the world’s biggest commercial airline, A380, a double-decker jet plane which the company has scheduled to launch in 2006 through a commercial flight of Singapore Airlines.

Airbus officials are considering to set up shop at the Clark zone where they can do some repair and maintenance work aside from Singapore, Yap said.

According to Yap, Airbus and Boeing officials have been attracted to establish maintenance and logistics facility at the DMIA complex because of its strategic location and existing facilities like its two parallel 3.2-kilometer runways that can accommodate large aircraft and an existing passenger terminal building that can serve 500 passengers an hour or 1.5 million passengers a year.

CIACor officials have started upgrading the DMIA complex, including the putting up of another runway to accommodate more aircraft and expanding the hangar to attract aviation firms engaged in maintenance services.

Upgrading of the airport facilities is also designed to make them attractive to suit the requirements of Clark zone locators and investors.

An additional $70 million will be needed from multilateral lending institutional to fund the upgrading of DMIA, Yap said.

He said the government is considering private companies to undertake the improvement and upgrading of the DMIA complex under a build-operate-transfer (BOT) scheme or build-operate-own (BOO) rather than raising funds for such purposes.

President Arroyo has considered DMIA as the government’s alternative site to support the requirements of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Metro Manila, said Dr. Emmanuel Y. Angeles, president and CEO of Clark Development Corp. (CDC).

Angeles said that United Parcel Service (UPS) has established at Clark Zone its Asia Pacific hub and Federal Express (Fedex) has reserved some 50 hectares in the zone where it plans to move its regional facility once its newly extended contract with Subic Bay Freeport expires in 2010.

DOTC head office moved to Clark
Posted: 8:14 AM (Manila Time) | Jul. 03, 2004
By Jun Malig, Inquirer Central Luzon Desk
Inquirer News Service

CLARK SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has ordered the transfer of the Department of Transportation and Communication to hasten the development of Clark and the Subic Freeport into "the most competitive hub in Southeast Asia."

The development of Clark and Subic into service and logistics centers in Southeast Asia was among the 10-point agenda that the President announced during her inaugural speech.

Aside from DOTC, the government also plans to transfer the Department of Tourism to Cebu City, the Department of Agrarian Reform to Iloilo City, and the Department of Agriculture to Zamboanga City.

"In order to make it the most competitive hub in Southeast Asia, we need Clark, we need the Clark airport, we need the Subic port, we need the road to connect the two. We need the Northrail (and) we need the North Expressway," Ms Arroyo told reporters here on Friday.

The President said that she wants DOTC transferred to Clark to speed up the development of these projects. "In order to do the port and the airport quickly, and the Northrail as well, I'm transferring the DOTC to Clark," she said.

Ms Arroyo spent about an hour meeting with Clark Development Corp. president Emmanuel Angeles, CDC Chair Rizalino Navarro and Executive Secretary Alberto Romulo on Thursday night to discuss her administration's plan for the Clark Special Economic Zone.

Angeles declined to disclose details of the meeting but assured that the people around Clark and the rest of Central Luzon would see "positive" results in the coming days.

Economic Planning Secretary Romulo Neri also confirmed reports of the Bases Conversion Development Authority's proposal to change the original blueprint of the P27.5-billion Subic-Clark-Tarlac Toll Road.

"But nothing is final yet. This is just an initial proposal," Neri said.

On June 23, CDC officials complained that the BCDA had revised the road project's design "without prior consultation" with them.

Angeles said the BCDA's plan to defer construction of the interchanges on Friendship Highway in Angeles City and on Spur Road in Mabalacat town would limit the accessibility of the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) and the rest of Clark.

From the original three proposed interchanges to and from this special economic zone, the BCDA retained only the Dolores interchange near Bamban, Tarlac in its revised design.

"This would certainly be detrimental to the government's plan to transform the DMIA into the country's premiere international airport, which is a major factor in the economic development of Central Luzon," Angeles said.

Subic-Clark-Tarlac road project runs into cash problems
ABS-CBNNews.com

CLARK FIELD, Pampanga - Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) officials explained here recently that the downgrading of the design of the P18-billion Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway Project (SCTEP) was due to budgetary constraints.

BCDA President Rufo Colayco said the proposed Friendship and Logistics Center interchange in the original design was excluded in the expressway project in favor of the proposed Dolores interchange in Mabalacat town.

Clark Development Corp. (CDC) President Emmanuel Angeles had stiffly opposed the Dolores interchange since it would bypass the Clark main zone.

The altered design sidelined the construction of the Friendship Gate interchange in Angeles City while the Clark Logistics Interchange, or the Spur Road, which should have led to the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) in the Clark Special Economic Zone, was cut short and would now exit to MacArthur Highway.

Both interchanges were designed to provide direct access to the Clark Special Economic Zone as well as to the local government units around the ecozone.

To appease Angeles City leaders and CDC officials, Colayco said an access road for Clark has been proposed that would start from the Dolores interchange, pass through Mabalacat gate, merge with the Centennial Road at Expo Pilipino en route to the main zone.

Colayco’s announcement was made during a meeting held here recently arranged by the members of the Clark Investors and Locators Association (CILA) in cooperation with the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry and other chambers of commerce from Central and Northern Luzon.

He said during his project presentation to business leaders that access to and from the Subic-Clark-Tarlac (SCT) expressway would be at the Dolores interchange only and at the North Luzon Expressway via the proposed spur road in Mabalacat, about seven kilometers from the Clark zone and 17 kilometers from Angeles. J. Due
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boking assails BCDA on road alteration
By Fred Roxas and Minerva Zamora-Arceo
Sun.Star Pampanga

CLARK FIELD -- Local officials in the Metro Clark area have objected to plans by Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) to alter the original design of the proposed P18-billion Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway Project (Sctep) saying that the removal of vital interchanges will bypass Clark and local communities adjoining the special economic zone.

Mabalacat Mayor Marino Morales, co-chair of Metro Clark Advisory Council criticized BCDA's plans to remove the interchange at the Mabalacat-Clark Spur Road section of the Sctep, saying that this "will remove access and bypass Clark and Mabalacat."

Appearing on a television program, Morales said the alteration in the original design was kept under wraps by the BCDA as it was not discussed with local government units.

"BCDA did not even consult us on the changes in the plans. It was only yesterday (Tuesday) that I have learned of the alteration," Morales said.

Morales called on BCDA officials headed by Rufo Colayco to honor government commitment to put an access road in the Mabalacat section of the Sctep.

"It took us one year of painstaking negotiations with landowners, convincing them of how the road project will bring about progress in Mabalacat. Part of the reason why they agreed to sell lands to the government (for Sctep alignment) is the creation of an access road. BCDA should honor this commitment," Morales laments.

Morales, also outgoing president of Pampanga Mayors League, warned that some sectors would oppose the construction of the Sctep should the access road at Mabalacat be excluded in the new design.

He said the councils of Barangays Mabiga and Camachilles, two villages in the town affected by the alignment, have already passed a resolution calling for the stoppage of implementation of Sctep project.

He also warned that no building permit will be issued to the road project should BCDA insists on the alteration of the original road design.

BCDA authorities have confirmed during a regular session of the Pampanga Provincial Board (PB) and in a meeting with the Clark Investors and Locators Association (Cila) and other top businessmen in North and Central Luzon that the design within Angeles City of the Sctep was altered due to budgetary constraints and traffic congestion.

The alteration of the design would eliminate the construction of the proposed Friendship Gate interchange in Angeles City and the Clark logistics interchange near the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) in Clark, which were designed to provide direct access between Clark Special Economic Zone (CSEZ) and in the nearby city.

Colayco said the original design of the Friendship interchange and the logistics interchange center have been excluded in the expressway project in favor of the proposed Dolores interchange in Mabalacat town, adding that the removal of interchanges that will give access to Clark, Angeles City and Mabalacat town was due to the foreseen traffic congestion in the future.

If the Dolores interchange would push through, Clark zone proper will be bypassed.

But to appease local leaders in Angeles City and officials of Clark Development Corporation, Colayco said an access road for Clark has proposed which would start from the Dolores interchange going through the Centennial road at the Expo Pilipino area inside the ecozone.

Clark Development Corporation (CDC) president Emmanuel Y. Angeles said the state-owned firm could later work for the release of available necessary funds for the construction of the Clark logistics interchange center at the DMIA complex inside the zone via the already started spur road in Mabalacat.

Angeles made the statement following BCDA's reason of budgetary constraints in altering the design of the expressway near Clark zone.

Clark authorities said they have spent some P2 billion for the acquisition of road-right-of-way (RROW) of the expressway in their desire the make Clark special economic zone, especially DMIA, easily accessible through strategically located expressway interchanges.

Meanwhile, Pampanga Vice Gov. Joseller "Yeng" Guiao said the Provincial Board (PB) will include the Sctep in its legislative agenda, that is set to be discussed in detail during their two-day planning session in Clark on July 31 to August 1.

Guiao said the PB would like to take an active role in addressing the full development of the W Growth Corridor, which includes Clark, Subic, Tarlac, and the rest of Central and North Luzon.

Guiao said even before Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) president Rufo Colayco presented the Sctep at the PB last Monday, he has already discussed it in a meeting with Economic Planning Secretary Romulo Neri.

"I was already briefed by Secretary Neri about the Sctep, including the political bickerings between BCDA and CDC so we at the PB are very aware of the issue. We plan to address this in detail during our planning session on July 31," Guiao said.

The vice governor however noted that the PB fully supports any development in Clark and Pampanga as long as it is justifiable, doable, and beneficial to the residents of Pampanga and the rest of Central Luzon.

But Guiao made it clear that they have yet to discuss the alterations made by the BCDA on the Sctep and would listen to the sentiments of the CDC before their scheduled July 31 planning session.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
what the hell is going on with this project? this is so stupid! I seriously doubt it's beacuse of lack of funding that the BCDA wants to remove these interchanges. I thought the whole point of the project was to connect Subic, Clark and Tarlac through one fast and cost-efficient highway? even if they were to build access roads from NLEX to the SCEZ and DMIA - it's not just the accessibility of Clark. it's the physical connection of airport to seaport and vice versa. how does Colayco expect Subic-Clark to become Asia's best logistics hub with this?

if they go through construction with the altered plans, could they just add the Friendship and Clark Logistics interchanges in the future?

What else is new? One step forward....two steps back! :bash:

Subic-Clark-Tarlac road project runs into cash problems
ABS-CBNNews.com

CLARK FIELD, Pampanga - Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) officials explained here recently that the downgrading of the design of the P18-billion Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway Project (SCTEP) was due to budgetary constraints.

BCDA President Rufo Colayco said the proposed Friendship and Logistics Center interchange in the original design was excluded in the expressway project in favor of the proposed Dolores interchange in Mabalacat town.

Clark Development Corp. (CDC) President Emmanuel Angeles had stiffly opposed the Dolores interchange since it would bypass the Clark main zone.

The altered design sidelined the construction of the Friendship Gate interchange in Angeles City while the Clark Logistics Interchange, or the Spur Road, which should have led to the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) in the Clark Special Economic Zone, was cut short and would now exit to MacArthur Highway.

Both interchanges were designed to provide direct access to the Clark Special Economic Zone as well as to the local government units around the ecozone.

To appease Angeles City leaders and CDC officials, Colayco said an access road for Clark has been proposed that would start from the Dolores interchange, pass through Mabalacat gate, merge with the Centennial Road at Expo Pilipino en route to the main zone.

Colayco’s announcement was made during a meeting held here recently arranged by the members of the Clark Investors and Locators Association (CILA) in cooperation with the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry and other chambers of commerce from Central and Northern Luzon.

He said during his project presentation to business leaders that access to and from the Subic-Clark-Tarlac (SCT) expressway would be at the Dolores interchange only and at the North Luzon Expressway via the proposed spur road in Mabalacat, about seven kilometers from the Clark zone and 17 kilometers from Angeles. J. Due
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boking assails BCDA on road alteration
By Fred Roxas and Minerva Zamora-Arceo
Sun.Star Pampanga

CLARK FIELD -- Local officials in the Metro Clark area have objected to plans by Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) to alter the original design of the proposed P18-billion Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway Project (Sctep) saying that the removal of vital interchanges will bypass Clark and local communities adjoining the special economic zone.

Mabalacat Mayor Marino Morales, co-chair of Metro Clark Advisory Council criticized BCDA's plans to remove the interchange at the Mabalacat-Clark Spur Road section of the Sctep, saying that this "will remove access and bypass Clark and Mabalacat."

Appearing on a television program, Morales said the alteration in the original design was kept under wraps by the BCDA as it was not discussed with local government units.

"BCDA did not even consult us on the changes in the plans. It was only yesterday (Tuesday) that I have learned of the alteration," Morales said.

Morales called on BCDA officials headed by Rufo Colayco to honor government commitment to put an access road in the Mabalacat section of the Sctep.

"It took us one year of painstaking negotiations with landowners, convincing them of how the road project will bring about progress in Mabalacat. Part of the reason why they agreed to sell lands to the government (for Sctep alignment) is the creation of an access road. BCDA should honor this commitment," Morales laments.

Morales, also outgoing president of Pampanga Mayors League, warned that some sectors would oppose the construction of the Sctep should the access road at Mabalacat be excluded in the new design.

He said the councils of Barangays Mabiga and Camachilles, two villages in the town affected by the alignment, have already passed a resolution calling for the stoppage of implementation of Sctep project.

He also warned that no building permit will be issued to the road project should BCDA insists on the alteration of the original road design.

BCDA authorities have confirmed during a regular session of the Pampanga Provincial Board (PB) and in a meeting with the Clark Investors and Locators Association (Cila) and other top businessmen in North and Central Luzon that the design within Angeles City of the Sctep was altered due to budgetary constraints and traffic congestion.

The alteration of the design would eliminate the construction of the proposed Friendship Gate interchange in Angeles City and the Clark logistics interchange near the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) in Clark, which were designed to provide direct access between Clark Special Economic Zone (CSEZ) and in the nearby city.

Colayco said the original design of the Friendship interchange and the logistics interchange center have been excluded in the expressway project in favor of the proposed Dolores interchange in Mabalacat town, adding that the removal of interchanges that will give access to Clark, Angeles City and Mabalacat town was due to the foreseen traffic congestion in the future.

If the Dolores interchange would push through, Clark zone proper will be bypassed.

But to appease local leaders in Angeles City and officials of Clark Development Corporation, Colayco said an access road for Clark has proposed which would start from the Dolores interchange going through the Centennial road at the Expo Pilipino area inside the ecozone.

Clark Development Corporation (CDC) president Emmanuel Y. Angeles said the state-owned firm could later work for the release of available necessary funds for the construction of the Clark logistics interchange center at the DMIA complex inside the zone via the already started spur road in Mabalacat.

Angeles made the statement following BCDA's reason of budgetary constraints in altering the design of the expressway near Clark zone.

Clark authorities said they have spent some P2 billion for the acquisition of road-right-of-way (RROW) of the expressway in their desire the make Clark special economic zone, especially DMIA, easily accessible through strategically located expressway interchanges.

Meanwhile, Pampanga Vice Gov. Joseller "Yeng" Guiao said the Provincial Board (PB) will include the Sctep in its legislative agenda, that is set to be discussed in detail during their two-day planning session in Clark on July 31 to August 1.

Guiao said the PB would like to take an active role in addressing the full development of the W Growth Corridor, which includes Clark, Subic, Tarlac, and the rest of Central and North Luzon.

Guiao said even before Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) president Rufo Colayco presented the Sctep at the PB last Monday, he has already discussed it in a meeting with Economic Planning Secretary Romulo Neri.

"I was already briefed by Secretary Neri about the Sctep, including the political bickerings between BCDA and CDC so we at the PB are very aware of the issue. We plan to address this in detail during our planning session on July 31," Guiao said.

The vice governor however noted that the PB fully supports any development in Clark and Pampanga as long as it is justifiable, doable, and beneficial to the residents of Pampanga and the rest of Central Luzon.

But Guiao made it clear that they have yet to discuss the alterations made by the BCDA on the Sctep and would listen to the sentiments of the CDC before their scheduled July 31 planning session.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
what the hell is going on with this project? this is so stupid! I seriously doubt it's beacuse of lack of funding that the BCDA wants to remove these interchanges. I thought the whole point of the project was to connect Subic, Clark and Tarlac through one fast and cost-efficient highway? even if they were to build access roads from NLEX to the SCEZ and DMIA - it's not just the accessibility of Clark. it's the physical connection of airport to seaport and vice versa. how does Colayco expect Subic-Clark to become Asia's best logistics hub with this?

if they go through construction with the altered plans, could they just add the Friendship and Clark Logistics interchanges in the future?

yes i step forward, 2 steps back! oh they are so ridiculous! i hope that GMA would do something about this matter...makes me very angry

NEDA bent on rebidding Subic-Clark expressway
By LAWRENCE AGCAOILI
TODAY Reporter

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Thursday stood by its decision to suspend the construction of the ambitious 92-kilometer Subic-Clark-Tarlac expressway until the project is rebidded and redesigned based on the original specifications approved by the government.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary and NEDA director general Romulo Neri told reporters that the rebidding and redesign to be undertaken by the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) would likely delay the project by six months.

Although the proposed expressway is one of the priority projects cited by President Arroyo in her 10-point agenda, Neri said there is a need to undertake the project in the correct manner as stated under the law.

“It is a priority project but we have to do it right. The fact that there are changes in the design, it should be considered as a new project and the BCDA would have to resubmit and rebid the project,” he stressed.

The NEDA-Investment Coordinating Council has decided to void the bidding conducted by the BCDA on the proposed tollroad because of serious procedural lapses. The body cited the changes pertaining to project cost, as well as redesign of the expressway due to right of way problems.

When the NEDA board approved the the project in 1999, the cost was pegged at only P15.7 billion. Then in April 2001, the BCDA requested to adjust the cost to P18.7 billion because of the changes in the design and scope of the project. The NEDA agreed.

However, the BCDA again asked the NEDA board to raise the project cost by another 46 percent to P27.4 billion. Foreign currency adjustments, as well as the increase in the cost of materials, were cited for the new budget.

The construction of the country’s longest tollroad that would link Subic Bay Free Port, Clark Special Economic Zone and Luisita Industrial Park in Tarlac was delayed after the bid of the winning Japanese consortium was 40-percent above the P8-billion estimate made by the government. BCDA president and chief executive Rufo Colayco has already negotiated with representatives of the winning consortium composed of Hazama Corp., Taisei Corp. and Nippon Steel Corp. to lower its P11-billion offer.

Neri said he has already informed the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), which is funding 85 percent of the project, as well as the winning Japanese contractors about the plan to rebid the project. Both JBIC and the Japanese contractors vowed to cooperate with the government.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Chairman Felicito Payumo the other day asked NEDA to study other options, such as scaling down the proposed project or negotiate down the project cost of the winning bidder to avoid any delay.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
thank goodness!! I hope the newly modified and approved project specifications include all the interchanges and on/off-ramps orignally designed for the expressway. and I hope they finally have the right value for the project cost this time. P27B seems to be enough to cover construction costs to include all the interchanges that have recently been deleted from the expressway. if after the budget is raised and they still go with the redesigned specs without the CSEZ and Friendship exits, then something fishy is definitely going on. they should start construction no later than early next year..

yeah i hope they start construction soon and do it correctly!

UPS expands Clark intra-Asia hub
By BERNIE CAHILES-MAGKILAT


United Parcel Service (UPS), the world’s leading transportation company based in Atlanta, is investing $1.4 million approximately P78 million in its intra-Asia hub in Clark by tripling the hub’s current sorting capacity from 2,500 packages per hour to 7,500 packages per hour.


UPS Philippines managing director Aritake Hidenor said the expanded capacity was aimed at meeting the growing shipment volume, provides greater reliability of its service and faster transit times for customers.

"UPS will continue to invest in the intra-Asia hub to better connect the cities within Asia and to the rest of the world through our extensive global air network," Hidenori said.

"By expanding our capacity in the Philippines, we are well positioned to help local businesses navigate global commerce and gain a competitive edge," Hidenori said.

Last year, Hidenori said the company was expected to invest an estimated $300 million investments over a fouryear period.

The investment underscores UPS’ commitment to helping our customers take advantage of growing intra-Asia trade, which is expected to be one of the fastest-growing in the world for years to come, the UPS said.

According to MergeGlobal, a logistics and trade strategy consulting firm, the intra-Asia trade market is expected to grow at a rate of 16.8 percent annually through 2005.

An ASEAN study showed that a 7 to 18 percent increase in air cargo traffic in southeast Asia over the next 20 years is expected.

Hidenori reported that for the second quarter, UPS’ export volume from Asia increased by 17 percent compared to the same period last year.

"Our strong growth is an indication that companies are increasingly aware of the importance that a synchronized supply chain can have on their performance and growth," Hidenori said.

The expansion project is expected and scheduled for completion in December 2004.

Since its operation two years ago in Clark, the 2,300 square meter hub operates 16 flights daily and connects to companies in the Asia Pacific region with overnight express delivery services.

UPS serves more than 200 countries and territories worldwide.

I hope DHL moves its hub from HK to DMIA....

I am just scared with FedEx's China Hub.... might eat the traffic from DMIA... Pero they said the China hub is dedicated for China-only traffic while DMIA for the whole Asian region... I hope no changes occur.

Maybe TNT Cargo could establish a hub at DMIA...too :)

Indeed hopefully DHL and TNT would consider Clark as a hub. :D

Boeing is. at least from what i've read

Boeing? Still sounds good to me! :colgate:

Is it finalized? Last i heard was they were still holding talks with Boeing.

PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo wants work on the North Rail project to start now. She personally gave the marching orders to Northrail president Jose Cortez Jr. yesterday, just 10 hours after she returned from her state visit to China, which is funding the commuter train project.

Ms Arroyo expressed irritation that Northrail was dragging its feet on the construction of the Metro Manila-to-Clark (Pampanga) commuter train system even after China had released the $400-million funding for the first phase, which would run up to Malolos City in Bulacan province.

Also during yesterday's pulong bayan (town hall meeting), held at the Light Rail Transit 2 (Santolan-Recto) station in Cubao, Quezon City, the President announced a new acronym for her "10-point legacy" -- "BEAT THE ODS" -- each letter of which stands for each of her 10 programs in her six-year term.

Building transportation and communication linkages being one of her programs, she tackled the transportation projects in the pulong bayan where she was joined by Vice President Noli de Castro, Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza, Public Works Secretary Florante Soriquez, Metro Manila Development Authority Chair Bayani Fernando, Senator Manuel Roxas II and other officials.

Ms Arroyo said she secured funding for the North Rail project during her visit to China. She said that the Chinese government had released the $400 million for the first phase and that the Chinese Eximbank had approved in principle the funding of both the second phase and its feasibility study.

"Since the $400 million has been released, construction can now begin," she said.

When told that construction would begin next month, the President frowned and said: "I don't understand why there has to be some delay. Why can't we start now? Ideally, if I would have my way, we should have held our pulong bayan there."

She asked for Cortez, who was then having coffee somewhere on the LRT 2 platform, and told him: "Can you now start the North Rail because China has released the $400 million?"

Cortez said the Chinese group would arrive sometime this month but that the relocation of squatters along the North Rail route was the one factor causing the delay.

Vice President De Castro, the newly appointed housing czar, butted in at this point and said the National Housing Authority had removed the squatters in the North Rail area in Caloocan City.

"We cleared Caloocan. All we have to do is to guard [the place]," he said.

But Ms Arroyo said: "Instead of guarding, construct now in areas that have been cleared. Otherwise, [the squatters] will come back."

P1B per km

The President defended the North Rail project from criticism that it was overpriced. Reports had said that it would be the most expensive rail project at P1 billion per kilometer.

"I read something in the newspapers, maybe it came from the losing bidder," she said. "Anyway, I read that the North Rail was allegedly overpriced, so let's have it answered by Romy Neri."

National Economic and Development Authority chair Romulo Neri proceeded to explain.

He said the North Rail project was initially pegged at P1.06 billion for the first 40 km under a Spanish-Japanese conglomerate but that this did not push through because the price was high and the Japanese financiers wanted half the number of squatters in the area removed before they would even come in.

"So nothing happened. Then the Chinese proposal came, [wherein] for only P500 million we can build a 33-km line to Malolos," he said. But he did not say how much the rest of the route would cost.

B is for budget

Before the pulong bayan ended, Ms Arroyo was asked by program host Giselle Sanchez what the acronym "BEAT THE ODS" meant.

She said it stood for the 10 priority programs that she wanted to implement during her six-year term and that she mentioned during her inaugural speech last June 30: "B -- Balanced budget, E -- Education for all, A -- Automated elections, T -- Transport infrastructure, T -- Terminate NPA and MILF hostilities, H -- Heal the wounds of EDSA 1, 2 and 3, E -- Electricity for all, O -- Opportunities for livelihood and jobs, D -- Decongestion of Metro Manila, and S -- Subic and Clark alliance." (INQ7)

this is really a good news!

Good to hear some action done by the government in order to get this project going! :D

"She said it stood for the 10 priority programs that she wanted to implement during her six-year term and that she mentioned during her inaugural speech last June 30: "B -- Balanced budget, E -- Education for all, A -- Automated elections, T -- Transport infrastructure, T -- Terminate NPA and MILF hostilities, H -- Heal the wounds of EDSA 1, 2 and 3, E -- Electricity for all, O -- Opportunities for livelihood and jobs, D -- Decongestion of Metro Manila, and S -- Subic and Clark alliance." (INQ7)"

looking forward to the next six years if she does most of them. improved education system for everyone, Terminate NPA and MILF hostilities, decongestion of MM and Subic and Clark alliance is the one i'll be keeping a close eye on.

This "BEAT THE ODS" thing sounds better than her 10-point agenda. If she does this, our country will progress rapidly over the next years. I dont think you can fully "terminate" NPA and MILF hostilities, but its worth easing up the tensions.

Great that she is pushing Northrail to get their job done. Thats what they need, pressure from the President so that they will get their act together.

the SCT project has looooong been delayed. i've been participating in the talks since '99. It's been 5 years... NAKAKAINIP!

but its worth easing up the tensions.

an understatement imo. it is essential for development of rural areas and Mindanao to ease up tensions. and also to include former rebels in the development of their respective home towns.

Yeah, i agree.:D my earlier statement is definitely an understatement.

Any pictures?

Pictures of Clark I found on the internet:
http://www.margarita-station.com/clark_photos/clark28.jpg http://www.margarita-station.com/clark_photos/clark36.jpg http://www.margarita-station.com/clark_photos/clark20.jpg http://www.margarita-station.com/clark_photos/clark19.jpg http://www.margarita-station.com/clark_photos/clark1.jpg
http://www.margarita-station.com/clark_photos/clark32.jpg
http://www.margarita-station.com/clark_photos/clark13.jpg http://www.margarita-station.com/clark_photos/clark30.jpg http://www.margarita-station.com/clark_photos/clark44.jpg

Pictures of Clark I found on the internet:
http://www.margarita-station.com/clark_photos/clark36.jpg [IMG]

This one that looks like a huge cage is the Expo Filipino during its construction. It was called the Elephant Cage. Speaking of the Expo Filipino would they open it again? I hope so kasi sayang naman yung mga ginastos nila dun at sayang din yung lugar kasi maganda naman.

yes, i heard earlier reports that they will open Expo Filipino again. They will also add more attractions to make it a full scale amusment park.

will they? it could be then a different company taking over Expo Filipino, renaming it, basically taking over the whole lot? what else remains in that lot?

basically everything that was there, is still there...

but yeah, could be. Everything could change if a different investor comes in.

Yup everything is still there even some appliances used by the former tenants are still there why i know? because my step mother's mother had a reastaurant inside Expo and up until now she told me some of their stuffs are still in there.

will this one turn into a mall or like a Enchanted-Kingdom type place?

Clark looks very western for me.

@ renell - Like an Enchanted Kingdom type place;)

Clark is western because it was built by Americans. In a way i like it, but it can also modernize the asian way.

http://www.margarita-station.com/clark_photos/clark32.jpg

the background is very... Nevada-ish:D

how do you modernize the Asian way? afaik it's fast and with little known planning:D

Wow...what a picture. It does look Nevada/Colorado like. As if its not in the Philippines...

You can modernize the asian way by not using western type architecture styles, etc... but since its the Philippines, we are sure to follow the Americans:D

What`s the current population of Clark by the way?

Clark Special Economic Zone, Pampanga

http://www.veranda.com.ph/jericho/cybrgate.jpg

Envisioned as the most prominent landmark within the Philippine CyberCity, this particular building shall become the virtual gateway to the I.T. Park and will serve as a model for future building structures within the development.

Each wing of the building is radially arranged so as to dramatize the approach to the development, with two wings spread out resembling the pages of an open book, or the arms of a cordial host graciously welcoming your arrival into the Philippines’ premiere I.T. business park. A 4-storey central colonnade links two wings together creating a dominant central feature. Viewed from the approaching road, this symbolic promenade emulates a gigantic window to CyberCity, offering the viewer a “peek” into what the development has to offer.

The structure is planned to evolve in strategic phases, starting out as a modest 2-storey building and eventually building up into a complex with four radials fanning out from a central common courtyard. Interestingly, one would find the biggest existing tree in the lot at the center of this particular courtyard, as the building was designed around these large age-old trees, giving due respect to the “original occupants” of the lot. The building wings progressively increase in height, with the 2-storey building being joined by a 3-storey annex and the eventual 4-storey wings that flank the symbolic gateway and colonnade.

Pictures:

Expo Filipino
http://www.margarita-station.com/clark_photos/clark52.jpg
http://www.margarita-station.com/clark_photos/clark46.jpg http://www.margarita-station.com/clark_photos/clark45.jpg
http://www.margarita-station.com/clark_photos/clark43.jpg
http://www.margarita-station.com/clark_photos/clark4.jpg
http://www.margarita-station.com/clark_photos/clark55.jpg
http://www.margarita-station.com/clark_photos/clark26.jpg
http://www.margarita-station.com/clark_photos/clark16.jpg
http://www.margarita-station.com/clark_photos/clark15.jpg
http://www.margarita-station.com/clark_photos/clark27.jpg

http://www.margaritastation.com/clark_photos/clark55.jpg


I like this photo....what is it? A theme park? :dunno:

I like this photo....what is it? A theme park? :dunno:
It's The Freedeom Ring in Expo Filipino

What`s the current population of Clark by the way?

Population of Clark? I dont know because Clark isn't a City nor a Town it is a Zone along the borders of Angeles City, Mabalacat, Porac and the Province of Tarlac. But there are people living there too like the families of the Philippine Airforce even Mayor Carmelo "Tarzan" Lazatin of Angeles City lives there or at least he have one house there.

isn't Clark in Angeles, Pampanga? or is it a sort of an Ortigas, a center within two cities?

Clark is in Pampanga!!!!

Am not so sure, but as far as i know, Clark is located within the boundaries of Mabalacat and Dau.. But definitely it is in Pampanga as what mr. muziclover here is claiming *with exclamation marks*
peace po.... :)

So does that "address" say Clark, Pampanga or Clark, Angeles City, Pampanga?

isn't Clark in Angeles, Pampanga? or is it a sort of an Ortigas, a center within two cities?

Clark is in Pampanga but it's like Ortigas a zone within the borders of Angeles City the Towns of Mabalacat and Porac and the Province of Tarlac.
Dau is a Barangay in Mabalacat.

The original Clark or the Fort Stotsenberg was within Angeles City but as time pass by Clark expands. Clarks Main Zone is within Angeles, Mabalacat and Porac while the Sub-Zone is within Tarlac Province.

The proper way to address Clark is Clark Field, Pampanga
and the proper way to address Angeles is Angeles City, Philippines not Angeles City, Pampanga

@ CULIAT: thanks for the info (Dau, Mabalacat)

similarly, the former Subic Naval Base is now called Subic Bay Freeport Zone (and not SBMA, it's the Authority).
The secured area is comprised of 2 provinces (Olongapo and Bataan). As defined by RA 7227, the Subic Bay Freeport and Economic Zone (SBFEZ) includes the provinces of Zambales (San Antonio, Castillejos, Subic), Olongapo City and Bataan (Dinalupihan, Hermosa, Morong).

hmmm... there is something I remembered about FedEx... when I was flying for the US a month ago after a connecting flight in Tokyo... our Northwest flight had a jumpseater and he happened to sit beside from take-off and a few minutes on-air.... he is someone from FedEx... I guess someone who is in a high position...

anyways... during the take-off he started chatting with the flight attendants, by the way we are seated on an exit row facing where the attendants sit... so... he said that he was from FedEx and he came from Tokyo to go to L.A. to go home... he also said that he used to be stationed in Subic (if I'm not wrong) where FedEx is based.... he said that FedEx is thinking of moving out of Subic and they are looking for another airport fit for their aircrafts and business outside the Philippines....

I'm not sure if this known already.. but I"d just like to share... before I forget it.. hehehe :D

i am currently attached with SBMA. To enlighten everyone regarding the issue whether FedEx is moving out of Subic or not, here's a good news. SBMA extends FedEx stay up to 2010. The extension contract will commence on September 1, 2007.
However, if FedEx opted to operate bigger aircraft like the A-380 that requires longer airport runway, the use of DMIA in Clark is an option.


O.T.
i would like to attach files (photos/news releases) re the development in Subic, i just don't know how.can somebody help me out?... thanks so much.

you can load your pix in the net using www.imagestation.com or www.photobucket.com... if it is already in the internet you no longer need to upload them..

then to make it appear on the board... right click the picture, Properties, copy the Address (URL)....

then in writing the message, enclose the Address with (img)Address(/img) (change the paretheses to [] ) ex.. (img)www.pix.com\xx.jpg(/img)

imagestation doesn't seem to be reliable and free anymore.

interesting fedex story...arent they moving to Clark??:?

btw, nice pics. especially the planned cyber building.

yes they are.... after the lease at Subic.

pau: thanks so much bro. I'll work on it. :)
greyX: not this soon, perhaps in a couple of years... you sounded so nanghihinayang... lol ... FedEx is one of our highest paying comp. here in subic.
federal: 2010 is not a long wait, but it's still 6 years to go..

however, we'll never know what's on FedEx's big bosses minds come 2007. They always have the last say.

WILL INVEST $450M TO TRANSFER FROM SUBIC TO CLARK
FedEx stays in RP

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By RACHELLE FRIGINAL
Federal Express Corp. (FedEx) has decided to stay in the Philippines and will invest $450 million in expanding and transferring operations from Subic to Clark according to Clark International Airport Corp. president Adelberto Yap .

"This is a done deal. I'm scheduled to go to Memphis. We will sign on April 11 the 25-year lease agreement with FedEx, which is reserving 50 hectares for their future operation in Clark," Yap said.

FedEx earlier announced it is choosing between Clark and Guangzhou, China as the site of its Asian hub.

FedEx contract with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority expires in 2007.

Yap said construction for FedEx's new hub in Pampanga should start next year for a smooth transition while it intends to maintain operations in Subic for two more years for the scaling down.

"FedEx had to leave Subic because they could no longer expand there, since Subic is primarily for port terminals. Two of their aircraft have crashed in the water in Subic after overshooting the runway," he added.

FedEx, according to Yap, favored Philippines over China because the cargo forwarder prefers doing business with the Philippine government.

"They prefer our cheap and skilled labor," he said adding that the Americans also like the work culture of the Filipinos who can adapt readily to them. They also don't have problems with communicating.

Also, facilities such as a 2-runway capacity is already in place, unlike its alternative China, where they still have to build one, Yap noted.

It would be recalled that in August last year, FedEx has signed a letter of intent with the Guangzhou Airport Authority, as an indication of their plan to move to China.

The signing came after Philippine transport officials junked in July 2003 their US counterparts' demand to allow seventh freedom operations in the country.

Seventh freedom rights allow a carrier to fly to other destinations from a particular hub without first passing its home base. The Philippines averred this is a violation of the Constitution and RP-US air transport agreement.

To avert FedEx's move, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo signed Executive Order 253 in December last year declaring open skies in cargo in SBIA and DMIA.

Subic Bay became FedEx's Asia Pacific hub in September 1995, connecting 19 key Asia cities. The hub enables overnight delivery to the US West Coast from Penang, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Manila and East Timor.

--->They have explained in previous prescons that they intend to maintain their Asian Hub in the Philippines... The hub in China will be mainly for Mainland China cargo traffic... Imagine diverting tons of export from China to Clark.... It will be wiser to make it direct to the US rather than adding it to the stockpiles of cargoes from other asian countries in Subic...

Chronology of Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway Project

21 October 1999
NEDA approves project at a cost of Php 15,247 Million
April 2000
BCDA submits an Updated Implementation Program seeking 22.9% increase in project cost from Php 15, 247 Million to Php 18,740 Million due to changes in design and scope.
2000
NEDA approves 22.9% increase in cost at Php 18,740 Million.
February 2002
Rufo Colayco is appointed President and CEO of BCDA
2002-2003
BCDA consultants perform detailed design and engineering work. During that period, JBIC conducted quarterly Project Implementation Review meetings with BCDA and NEDA.

NEDA Project Monitoring Staff periodically held meetings with BCDA
September 2003 to January 2004
BCDA conducts tender for Package 1 (Subic-Clark) and Package 2 (Clark-Tarlac). By that time, estimated cost of civil works increases to Php 22,600 Million.

Despite this fact, Approved Budget for Contract (ABC) was still bid out at Php 20,078 Million, which was equivalent to the loan proceeds for the civil works provided by the JBIC loan. This was done on the premise that competition might cause bidders to submit proposals closer to the ABC than the (higher) estimated construction cost.
February 2004
Bids amounted to Php 27,013 Million, exceeding the ABC by Php 6,938 Million (35%) and the estimated construction cost by Php 4,413 Million. Under JBIC guidelines, BCDA had the option to either re-bid or negotiate and reduce the scope of the road without affecting its functionality. BCDA chose to negotiate the project.
20 July 2004
Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Romulo L. Neri declares that the project should be re- bid due to design changes and the lowest evaluated bid exceeded the ABC and is in violation of RA 9184. Sec. Neri issues this statement in a press conference a day before (19 July 2004) sending BCDA a letter.
July 2004
BCDA explains that the design changes account for only 17%, well within NEDA’s 20% contingency on changes of scope.

Furthermore, since the project is being funded through a special yen loan package, the project falls under the JBIC Procurement Guidelines, which allows BCDA to negotiate with the bidders in order to reduce costs. Ergo, BCDA did not violate RA 9184 as Neri asserts.
16 August 2004
NEDA still insists on redesigning and re-bidding the project. Neri also puts forth an unrealistic timetable for re-bidding which, according to him, would take only 11 months to complete.
17 August 2004
BCDA explains to Neri that under the JBIC rules, the bidding process would take a minimum of 20 months.
Present
Based on negotiations so far, BCDA was able to negotiate the price to a reduced Php 22,078 Million, which is slightly under the estimated construction cost.

Further negotiations could further reduce the contract price down to the Php 20,078 Million ABC level, thereby eliminating the need to conduct a re-bid of the project.

Interesting stuff...thanks federal and archie. Good that Fedex is staying RP:)

FedEx eyes expansion in Clark airport

TARLAC CITY — The world’s largest package and cargo delivery firm, Federal Express Corporation (FedEx), is gearing for the expansion of its operations inside the Clark Special Economic Zone (CSEZ).

This, as the company recently sealed a memorandum-of-agreement with the state-owned firms, Clark Development Corporation (CDC) and the Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC), for the reservation of about 16 hectares of land inside the aviation complex of the ecozone’s Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA).

According to the Presidential Commission for the Central Luzon Growth Corridor (PCCLGC), FedEx’s reservation of the land “is in preparation for the establishment of its expanded hub in the Philippines.”

The agreement, revealed the government agency overseeing investment and other economic activities in the region, was signed by CDC president Emmanuel Angeles, CIAC head Adelberto Yap and FedEx vice president Dennnice Wilson.

Quoting Angeles, the PCCLGC said that “the reasons that prompted FedEx to sign the agreement, aside from the strategic location of the DMIA, are the vastness of Clark’s aviation complex and the availability of support facilities.”

It further pointed out that the new contract of FedEx in the ecozone “is an indication that Clark is becoming one of the vital airport facilities in the country because of its strategic location in Asia and the rest of the world.”

Further quoting Angeles, the commission said that FedEx officials have noted the improvements being undertaken along the North Luzon Expressway, as well as the planned Subic-Clark-Tarlac Superhighway and the projected mass railway system between Metro Manila and Clark.

The PCCLGC added that even FedEx Asia-Pacific division president, David Cunningham, was convinced “of the potential of Clark as the newest hub location in Asia.”

It was way back in 1995 when FedEx opened up its office for the firm’s Asia-Pacific operations at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ), which will soon be directly linked to the Clark ecozone with the construction of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Superhighway.

The company’s lease agreement with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is up to the year 2010, even as it is FedEx’s “largest air express hub in the Asia-Pacific region and represents one of the firm’s most important investments in Asia,” explained the commission.

The PCCLGC said that, since improvements were introduced into the DMIA, among the airport’s main attractions to investors are its capability to handle international commercial flights.

It pointed out that its two parallel 3.2-kilometer runways “can accommodate even the largest aircraft, such as the Boeing 747s, Airbus 300 series, and military cargo planes like the C-5 Galaxy.”

Angeles said that the DMIA also has four parallel and nine connecting taxiways, wide ramp areas and apron facilities “with world-class standards.”

One of the airport’s runway was even designed to serve as an alternate landing strip for US space shuttles, said the PCCLGC.

Posted on Tuesday, September 28 @ 21:45:47 HKT

Subic ecozone to build biotech, science parks

TARLAC CITY — A biotech park that will have the ultimate objective of producing low-cost medicines will soon rise inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ), revealed the government agency overseeing investment and other economic activities in Central Luzon.

According to the Presidential Commission for the Central Luzon Growth Corridor (PCCLGC), this was the commitment sealed by officials of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) with senior executives and officers of the Generics Association of the Philippines, a group of the different pharmaceutical firms in the country, after a recent meeting with them.

At the same time, the commission disclosed that the SBMA is now venturing into the possibility of also putting up a science park inside the Subic ecozone “that will be the future location of pharmaceutical businesses and laboratories that are into research and development activities.”

The PCCLGC has it that the ecozone is “an excellent site” for the planned biotech and science parks “since there are available skilled and easily trained workers.”

It added that raw materials that the laboratories would need “can be imported duty-free” into the Subic ecozone, while finished products “can be exported conveniently” because of the presence there of major carriers such as the Federal Express Corp. (FedEx).

FedEx, the world’s largest cargo and package delivery firm, maintains its Asia-Pacific operations hub inside the Subic ecozone, which opened up in 1995, even as it has already reserved 16 hectares of land inside the aviation complex of the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) in the Clark Special Economic Zone (CSEZ) in Pampanga for the expansion of its business ventures in the country.

Quoting SBMA chair Felicito Payumo, the PCCLGC said that the planned biotech and science parks inside Subic will likely help bring down the prices of medicines in the country.

Generics Group president, Edwin Santiago, said that the pharmaceutical business in the country earns as much as P82 billion annually, but the commission noted that medicines remain “a little too expensive for Filipino consumers.”

The PCCLGC believes that once the biotech and science parks are built inside the ecozone, “major pharmaceutical groups will be attracted to relocate their operations in Subic, from those that manufacture paracetamol to the higher-concentrated medicines used in the market today.”

It pointed out that there are about 1,200 pharmaceutical groups operating in the country, and that these could be easily attracted into the ecozone “because of the advantages that Subic has to offer.”

This, even as Payumo revealed that one of these firms, the Macro Asia-Pharma, Inc., has already started construction works for its plant at the Subic ecozone’s “Techno Park.”

Posted on Tuesday, September 28 @ 21:48:12 HKT

Lapid reoffers Clark ecozone as sanctuary for foreign embassies

By JOJO DUE
TODAY Correspondent

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO - Sen. Lito Lapid has reiterated his earlier offer to develop part of the Clark Special Economic Zone into a sanctuary for foreign embassies now located at Metro Manila, in the face of threats of terrorist attacks.

Lapid’s proposal, made through lawyer Benalfre Galang, the senator’s political assistant, came in the wake of terrorist attacks on embassies of nations having friendly ties with the United States.

“When Godless terrorists ruthlessly attack embassies, emissaries, military installations and public places all over the world, it is imperative to provide safety to embassies of countries who renounce terrorism in any form as these nations’ policy,” Galang said.

Lapid made the call to President Arroyo, Senate President Franklin Drilon in behalf of the Senate, Speaker Jose de Venecia for Congress, Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) officials and Clark Development Corp. (CDC) president Emmanuel Angeles.

Galang quoted Lapid as saying that the 4,400-hectare Clark ecozone, a former US military base, now plays host to more than 300 foreign and local firms employing thousands of local workers.

The senator stressed that the September 11, 2001, attack on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, Indonesia and Malaysia, which resulted in the death of thousands of innocent people, including Filipinos, should be avoided.

“Along this line, we would like to offer the Clark ecozone to show our concern for our fellowmen. Clark has many structures that need only minimal rehabilitation for use as offices and quarters for embassies and emissaries from the US, Canada, Australia and Indonesia, among others, to show our concern for people threatened by terrorist activities,” Lapid, speaking in Tagalog, said.

He said that since Clark was declared a special economic zone, no person or locator has fallen victim to any form of violence, particularly with security provided by the CDC Security Force, the National Police, the Air Force and private security firms, among others, aside from security personnel directly hired by the locators. Lapid also said Clark is the site of one of the biggest international airports in the country that further boosts its image as a safe location because of the impending installation of a multibillion-dollar radar system at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport .

At the height of the terrorist attacks and threats on foreign embassies in the country in 2002 and 2003, Lapid, then Pampanga governor, urged the late Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas Ople to initiate the relocation of embassies to Clark, a move that Ople expressed support for. The move, however, did not prosper.

[b]
One of the airport’s runway was even designed to serve as an alternate landing strip for US space shuttles, said the PCCLGC.


wow! :eek2:

lol, man that phrase has been said so much times now i thought everyone would have known it :D i thought there was two runways built by the USAF?

hehehe... it's my first time to have read it.. hehehe... I don't usually read the long articles.. hehehehe

the new sbma chair would be the former ayala land president

who is it?

anyways that's good for development. but don't expect scrapers. unless it's a residential...

WOooooo...Wow. So many good stuff happening, its hard to keep up!!:D

yeah that's true. couple of months back it was mostly only skyscrapers. now the pinoy forums has their "specialists" in aviation, skyscrapers, economics, chatting:D

I know...all that just makes this place so great:)

yep. we've really diversified. do you think we need a "non-skyscraper" section here to organise things a bit?

One of the airport’s runway was even designed to serve as an alternate landing strip for US space shuttles, said the PCCLGC.

wow! :eek2:

Yeah, that's true! If the Space Shuttle cannot land at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral for any reason, their alternate landing sites are in California, Clark Air Field and another one somewhere in West Africa.

I miss the Space Shuttles, hope they schedule launches soon. I love to see it blasting off into the night sky from my vantage point. They televise shuttle launches on TV here and when it blasts off, we run outside the house onto the street and look up and see the shuttle rocket upward with plumes of smoke trailing it. :)

some pics from Subic's neighboring city, Olongapo
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid141/pf61a9f509b43082f80664d95a56528e4/f6d30e4c.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid141/p0890b235b5afd4004c2236c86f61f72e/f6d30e2a.jpg

yeah, Francisco Licuanan III will be the new SBMA chair. GMA really made a good choice.

Hey I didn't know that Saver's Mall had branch in Olongapo I'll try to post the Main Saver's Mall in Angeles City :)

what's Saver's Mall? is it big? haven't heard of it before. but it was one of the "more modern" buildings in Olongapo's main road to SBMA

Subic allows FedEx to operate ecozone hub until 2013

TARLAC CITY — The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has recently decided to extend the lease contract of air courier giant, the Federal Express (FedEx), up to August 2010.

According to the Presidential Commission on the Central Luzon Growth Corridor (PCCLGC), the SBMA even provided the firm with “options of three successive renewals of one year each contract, allowing it to operate (in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone) up to year 2013.”

The PCCLGC is Malacañang’s main agency overseeing economic and investment activities in Central Luzon.The lease extension contract will be effective on Sept. 1, 2007, added the commission.

In the event that FedEx exceeds its 20 MD-11 cargo plane-capacity limit at the Subic Bay International Airport for its “Asia-One Operations,” the PCCLGC said that the firm can divert its other flights to the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in the Clark Special Economic Zone (CSEZ) in Pampanga.

The Subic and Clark ecozones will soon be directly linked up with the completion by 2007 of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac expressway, which intends to shorten travel time between the two ecozones, including between this city and Clark.

According to the PCCLGC, FedEx Asia-Pacific president, David Cunningham Jr., already signed an agreement with the DMIA for the expansion of their operations from Subic to Clark.

The commission revealed that the firm has increased its operations in the Subic ecozone with the use of 12 cargo planes. In 1998, when FedEx first opened up in Subic, it only had five planes taking flights within the Asia-Pacific region to and from the ecozone.

At the same time, to accommodate more inbound and outbound flights, the PCCLGC said that the SBMA has caused the upgrading of its airport’s navigational aids, including its radar instrument and landing system, touchdown zone lightning and global positioning system to make it at par with the facilities of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

More good news...

Meet to chart direction for South Luzon transport hub

Top officials of the state-owned agencies developing two former US military bases in Southern Luzon are set to meet on December 22 to map out their unified strategy to develop Clark and Subic as centers of excellence in international service and logistics in the entire Southeast Asian region.

In a statement, the government said that the newly appointed executives of the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA), Clark Development Corporation (CDC) and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) will meet to ensure that plans for the development of the bases as regional hubs are in line with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's ten-point agenda.

BCDA President and CEO Narciso L. Abaya said the top level meet, dubbed the Subic-Clark Alliance for Development (SCAD) Forum, is expected to ensure the complementary development of both Subic and Clark. Interconnecting the former bases is expected to result to a spill over of opportunities to the rest of Central Luzon.

"For starters, we plan to interconnect the deep water seaport in Subic and the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) in Clark, by means of a dedicated highway -- the soon to be constructed 94.5 kilometer Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway -- to facilitate the transport of goods and services and people in a globally competitive environment," Mr. Abaya said in a statement released Monday.

Mr. Abaya said that with the assumption into office of new leaders of the BCDA and the SBMA, there is a need to have one vision, mission and plan of action in relation to realizing Mrs. Arroyo's agenda of developing Clark and Subic into centers of excellence in international trade.

Mr. Abaya, a former armed forces chief, assumed the BCDA presidency over a month ago.

Meanwhile, SBMA chairman Francisco H. Licuanan III and SBMA administrator Alfredo C. Antonio assumed office only last November 1.

Mr. Licuanan, former executive of property developer Ayala Land, Inc., also serves as the Presidential Adviser on SCAD. As presidential adviser, he takes charge of developing the former US bases into the "best strategic transport hubs" in the Southeast Asian region.

Mr. Abaya said that among the objectives of the forum is to identify the strategic directions for the SCAD program and establish common terms of reference and cooperation on the specific strategies and implementation plans.

Also to be discussed is the unified direction toward SCAD's long-term and short-term plans and programs in relation to each agency's plans and programs.

"As early as now, we want to identify the bottlenecks, policies as well as resource constraints and hope to address them holistically both in the short-term or catalytical sense and long-term or foundational sense," said the Mr. Abaya.

Mr. Abaya said that under the Arroyo administration's Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP), the former military facilities in Subic and Clark have been identified to hold great potentials to revitalize development in Central Luzon.

Among the strategies to develop Clark and Subic under the MTPDP include: the Subic-Clark Alliance Development Program; flood control in the Clark-Subic area; and creation of Hong Kong-type enclaves to capture long-term investors. Citing a recent ADB presentation, Mr. Abaya said the top three incentives for investors to invest in any country are: good macroeconomic fundamentals, adequate infrastructure, and good governance.

He said the BCDA is doing its part in ensuring that adequate infrastructure, such as the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway and the NorthRail, will be put in place to attract more investors in the country and enhance the competitive advantage of current investors. The NorthRail Corporation is a subsidiary of the BCDA.

Officials back plan to transfer Rizal Sports Center to Clark

CLARK ZONE, Pampanga – Central Luzon officials are one in supporting a proposal of Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose Cojuangco Jr. to relocate the Rizal Memorial Sports Center (RMSC) in Manila at the Clark Special Economic Zone.

Most Region 3 officials and civic and business leaders are unanimous in endorsing Cojuangco’s proposal to transfer RMSC from its cramped space to a wider, bigger and accessible location that could be developed into future training center and sports stadium of the country.

As a long-time political leader of Central Luzon, with Tarlac Province as his base, Cojuangco was encouraged by public officials in Region 3 to make Clark as the training site for Filipino athletes.

Pampanga leaders have been delighted to learn of the former House Speaker’s plan to relocate RMSC to the vast former US military facility, now burgeoning economic zone and tourist destination.

Gov. Mark T. Lapid and his father, Sen. Manuel Lapid, are among the leaders who endorsed the proposal.

Other leaders supporting Yap’s plan include Vice Gov. and Red Bull coach Yeng Guiao, the four lawmakers of the province, Tarlac Gov. Aping Yap, Zambales Vice Gov. Ramon Lacbain and Emmanuel Y. Angeles, chief executive officer of Clark Development Corp.

They foresee the project as practical, necessary and economical, citing existing infrastructure and building facilities inside Clark zone as the initial advantages over other proposed sites.

Governor Lapid, Angeles and Regional Tourism Director Tony Tiotiuco see the future sports center in Pampangas as a lure to tourists to visit Clark. This would hasten the full operation of the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport.

Bulacan and Nueva Ecija officials as well as civic and business leaders in the region headed by Regional Governor Romy P. Yusi Sr. of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. also lauded the plan.

^Thats a good plan. Building a sport complex in Clark is very ideal.

OK Folks!....Let's get the ball rolling for the most exciting projects of the decade

Japan envoy confident Subic dev't will boost CL trade

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT-Japanese Ambassador Ryuichiro Yamazaki has expressed confidence that the ongoing construction of the $215-million Subic Bay Port Development Project here will speed up progress in Central Luzon.

During his visit here last week, Yamazaki said the major infrastructure development being funded through the special yen loan assistance granted by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) would spur economic growth in the region.

"Subic freeport's development is on the right track," Yamazaki told officials of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) during a meeting at the Subic Bay Yacht Club.

Yamazaki was earlier briefed on the construction of the container port at the Leyte Wharf in Cubi Point here.

According to SBMA Administrator Alfredo Antonio, Japan plays a key role in the development of the freeport.

"This is a very auspicious occasion that will strengthen friendship and collaborative partnership between the Philippines and Japan," Antonio said.

He said the development wou[bld make Subic port the major portal of the new Global Gateway, an alliance of Subic and Clark, contributing to the growth of the economy of the entire country.

"After the completion of the new container port, Subic freeport will [benefit from] the international shipping trade in the Asia-Pacific region with the expected increase in volume and sea traffic," Yamazaki said.

The port project, along with the Subic-Clark toll road, would provide an alternative route and port facility to decongest Metro Manila.

The port modernization project was awarded to Penta Ocean Corp., whose partners include Shimitsu Corp. and Toa Corp., after it passed the comprehensive evaluation conducted by the SBMA's bids and awards committee.

Penta submitted the lowest bid of P5.22 billion, about 25 percent lower than the government's estimate of P6.99 billion. The government had saved up to P1.77 billion for the project, SBMA officials said.

Yamazaki also visited the Japanese-owned businesses here and said more Japanese investments would come in as they see Subic "as one of the most excellent sites for business ... set up outside of Japan."

*******Post Pictures Please*******

despite the "violent reactions" of some of the people around town, the port developement project pushed through.. Done deal sabi na nga.
May this be a good sign for a more progressive Subic.

I like to go to Subic again...

good news. hope the rest of the project sails on smoothly. when is it targetted to be completed? but I don't see how $215M became only P5.22B though... that's weird. are there other related projects that are included in the $215M fund?

oh yeah... what's going on with the SCTEX? we haven't heard of it for some time now. hopefully it's going well too. quite a number of major projects for Northern Luzon. NLEX rehab was just completed, the Port is now well underway, the SCTEX interconnecting the two emerging hubs, the Northrail interconnecting the emerging hubs to the existing Metro Manila and finally the DMIA.

um. gotta check the SCTEX thread for that one:D

I would love to rid Manila most of its port burden, pass some of it to Subic :yes:, get our waterfront more spiced up:)

More on Subic. It's selling like Hot Cake

Australian firm offers to build $200-M Subic infra projects
By BERNIE CAHILES-MAGKILAT (MB)

Australia’s construction giant Leighton Contractors has proposed to undertake the entire infrastructure requirements of SBMA-Bataan including seaport, road network and sewerage systems for the estimated $200 million project.

Ofelia Bulaong, president of Bataan Technology Park Inc. (BTPI), said this in light of the full development and promotion of special economic zone.

Leighton Contractors Philippines Corp., the local subsidiary, has submitted an unsolicited proposal to develop the infrastructure requirements of the 365hectare ecozone on a buildoperate -transfer scheme.

The port construction is expected to last between 18 months to 2 years. Since this is an unsolicited proposal, Bulaong said the Leighton proposal will be subjected to a Swiss-challenge.

She said the original cost on the project done by a Japanese put the total cost at $200 million.

Leighton is one of Asia’s largest broad-based construction and mining contractors. In the Philippines, it provides full range of contracting services for civil engineering and infrastructure, mining and resources, petrochemical and process engineering, marine engineering and telecommunications.

Its most recent project is the upgrading of the Manila North Tollways. Leighton’s other projects in the country include the Casecnan power station, Philippine Morris Philippines Greenfield project, Nokia Phase 7 cell site rollout, Rockwell Retail Center, Mariveles Jetty, Pagbilao dredging and Sual power plant.

The full-scale development and promotion of BTP followed after President Gloria Arroyo issued Executive Order 381 in October last year converting BTPI into a freeport zone under the banner of SBMA.

But Bulaong said, SBMA-Bataan is still under the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) because BCDA owns the property but it is an SBMA extension and enjoys the benefits of a freeport.

In the meantime that its port is still under construction, SBMA-Bataan will utilize the Subic Port.

"For marketing purposes we have to be named SBMA-Bataan,’’ Bulaong said. Also, the BTPI is literally an extension of SBMA because of its proximity. At present, it is connected through TIPO road.

As a freeport, locators inside SBMA-Bataan will be entitled to tax and duty-free importation of its capital equipment and raw materials. All its produce should be export-oriented.

Bulaong further said that SBMA-Bataan has already signed a memorandum of agreement with the Bureau of Customs to process its locators’ import and export activities.

I just read about this one too... hehe. the gov't should really work to realize the plans and initiatives of these investors. especially now that it doesn't have too much money to spend. if Leighton (or any other investor) were to build the infrastructure facilities, the gov't doesn't have to fund it, right? so how do the investors make their money back...?

I noticed it's been Japanese and then Korean doing stuff at Subic and now Australians, which is good, but how come it's hardly Filipino firms and corporations starting anything! It always has to be some other group! It's like the land are not the peoples! And how come there's no developments/projects from Europe? It's always from Asia!

I noticed it's been Japanese and then Korean doing stuff at Subic and now Australians, which is good, but how come it's hardly Filipino firms and corporations starting anything! It always has to be some other group! It's like the land are not the peoples! And how come there's no developments/projects from Europe? It's always from Asia!

there are, specially from france & spain, but after the bidding, they often lost to asians. mahal cguro

I noticed it's been Japanese and then Korean doing stuff at Subic and now Australians, which is good, but how come it's hardly Filipino firms and corporations starting anything! It always has to be some other group! It's like the land are not the peoples! And how come there's no developments/projects from Europe? It's always from Asia!

I believe the foreign corporations are in partnership with the Filipino companies. The only Filipino owned company I've heard-of investing in real estate is the Ayala group, building a first class hotel. There are a few others methinks.

Excellent news...I'm glad Subic is growing rapidly, which complements GMA's Ten Point Agenda.

I just read about this one too... hehe. the gov't should really work to realize the plans and initiatives of these investors. especially now that it doesn't have too much money to spend. if Leighton (or any other investor) were to build the infrastructure facilities, the gov't doesn't have to fund it, right? so how do the investors make their money back...?


They'll operate the place which is essentially a big industrial park , like clark. Basically they'll give a lease or portion of fees earned to the government and keep the rest to pay for the development cost.

I noticed it's been Japanese and then Korean doing stuff at Subic and now Australians, which is good, but how come it's hardly Filipino firms and corporations starting anything! It always has to be some other group! It's like the land are not the peoples! And how come there's no developments/projects from Europe? It's always from Asia!
They have been, it's just that the projects started by the locals are not that big. The Japanese etc are part of ODA money which their government provides. I haven't seen Leightons proposal but would assume there is tied money with regards to Australian Aid in their project finance.

I think any EU project will be held till the outcome of their largest project which is the airport is settled ... and to their satisfaction.

Not about Subic...but close enough:D Again, its Leighton that is involved:)

Aussie firm offers to fix Bataan technopark
Australia's Leighton Contractors is offering to build roads, sewer pipes, and ports to develop the 365-hectare Bataan Technology Park in Morong, Bataan, which the government is positioning as an extension of the Subic Bay Freeport.

Park president Ofelia V. Bulaong told reporters that Leighton submitted an unsolicited proposal to develop the government-run economic zone so it could attract more investors.

Quoting a Japanese study, Ms. Bulaong said the park would need some $200 million for necessary infrastructure.

The build-operate-transfer proposal was forwarded by Leighton's design and estimate engineer, Rene Trovela, Ms. Bulaong said.

If the government decides to bid out the project, Leighton will be given the right to match the winning bid, she said.

The local unit of the Australian construction giant, Leighton Contractors Philippines, is involved in building construction, civil engineering and infrastructure, mining and resources, petrochemical and process engineering, marine engineering, and telecommunications. It undertakes turnkey, project management, design and construction, construction management, and build-operate-transfer contracts.

Leighton Philippines' portfolio includes the Rapu Rapu mining project in Albay, Casecnan power station in Nueva Vizcaya, North Luzon tollway project (for the Lopezes), Philip Morris Philippines plant in Batangas, Nokia's Phase 7 cellsite rollout, Rockwell Retail Center (also for the Lopezes), Mariveles Jetty in Bataan, dredging project in Quezon, Sual power plant in Pangasinan, Hardie Jardine Fibre-Cement plant, Sibutad gold mine, and the Sisiman Bay quarry.

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has been sharing its air and sea ports with Bataan Technology Park locators. But a dedicated seaport can be built in 18 months to two years, Ms. Bulaong said.

As part of its marketing strategy, Bataan Technology Park was re-christened as "SBMA-Bataan," under Executive Order no. 381 by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo last October, making it an economic and freeport zone like Subic.

Its locators thus enjoy the same privileges enjoyed by those in Subic, such as tax- and duty-free importation of equipment and raw materials.

Ms. Bulaong said the Bataan park could host locators that could no longer be accommodated by Subic since it was just 20 minutes from Subic and was easily accessible from the Subic airport and seaport.

"The executive order has increased the value [of Bataan Technology Park]. From only three locators, we now have about 60," she said.

Tomas Meneses, Bataan Technology Park administrator, said freeport privileges would allow the facility to compete with China for foreign investments.

SBMA-Bataan will continue to be managed under the Bataan Technology Park charter and will remain under the state-run Bases Conversion Development Authority, which owns the land.

Bataan Technology Park was created as the main zone of the Morong Special Economic Zone by former President Fidel V. Ramos in 1997. It was the site of the Philippine Refugee Processing Center from 1980 to 1994, and served as a second-asylum camp to some 400,000 refugees from Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. -- Felipe F. Salvosa II

I noticed it's been Japanese and then Korean doing stuff at Subic and now Australians, which is good, but how come it's hardly Filipino firms and corporations starting anything! It always has to be some other group! It's like the land are not the peoples! And how come there's no developments/projects from Europe? It's always from Asia!

you forgot to mention the Taiwanese investors. Subic has actually 2 industrial parks: Subic Bay Industrial Park (Taiwanese Industrial park since most investors were Taiwanese not exclusive for them though) and the Subic Technology Park (where most locators where Japanese) plus the Boton Light Industrial park which is the Phase II of the STEP.
the Ayala's has something BIG in mind for Subic but i heard they're still in the Feasibility Study stage...
As for European investors... i'll check with the Business Group to confirm but as far as i know we have Euros here.

SUBIC, Freeport Zone - The world's largest cargo forwarder Federal Express (FedEx), has allotted US$450 million to relocate its hub in Asia by 2007 to the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) in Clark, Pampanga, from its present site at the Subic Bay International Airport (SBIA).

Although FedEx's 12-year lease contract with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority is not set to expire until 2007, the firm needs to start constructing its new hub in Clark this year to ensure the smooth transition of its cargo operations.

Adelberto Yap, president and chief executive officer of Clark International Airport Corp (CIAC), said FedEx is committed to maintain its presence at Subic for two years after 2007 in order to scale down operations there.

Yap said FedEx decided to transfer to a 42-by-45-hectare site at Clark because the space it occupies in Subic is not big enough to accommodate its expansion programs.

The company had to leave Subic because it could no longer expand, Yap said. Subic is primarily for port terminals, he added.

The CIAC president will go to Memphis, Tennessee, where FedEx is based, to have a 25-year lease contract signed for the new site.

FedEx chose the Philippines over China because of the cheap but skilled labor available in the country, Yap said. FedEx also seems to like the work culture of the Filipinos, who can adopt readily to working with Americans.

The company also chose the Philippines over China because they prefer doing business with the Philippine government, added Yap.

He pointed out that at Clark there is already a two-runway capacity built by the Americans, so they can start operations right away, unlike in Guangzhou, China, where this system would still have to be built.

In August 2003, FedEx signed a letter of intent with the Guangzhou Airport Authority for the supposed relocation of its hub from the Philippines after transport officials here reportedly junked their US counterparts' demand to allow seventh freedom operations in the country in July 2003.

Seventh freedom rights allow a carrier to fly to other destinations from a particular hub without first passing its home base. The Philippines said this was a violation of the constitution and the Philippine-US Air Transport agreement.

To avert FedEx's move, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed Executive Order 243 in December 2003 declaring open skies in cargo in SBIA and DMIA.

Subic Bay became FedEx's Asia-Pacific hub in September 1995, connecting 19 key Asian cities.

The hub enables overnight delivery to the US west coast from Penang, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Manila and East Timor.

(Asia Pulse/PNA)

Thats awesome...we hadnt had an update on that relocation for a long time.

great news!! hopefully, that is final already... things are really looking good for DMIA! we might even get A380 service there once FedEx takes delivery....

New Airbuses to help FedEx raise capacity
Bangkok Post, Thailand - Feb 16, 2005

Federal Express Corp (FedEx), a leading air express transportation company, will be able to ... A380-800 freighter is deployed at its Asian Hub in Subic Bay of the ...

^that article is no longer available though. another one from FedEx directly...

FedEx Express First to Take Delivery of Airbus A380 Freighter (http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/fedex-express/index.jsp?epi-content=GENERIC&newsId=20050117005230&ndmHsc=v2*A1072962000000*B1110211745000*C4102491599000*DgroupByDate*J2*M671*N1001263&newsLang=en&beanID=891321701&viewID=news_view)

...
During the first year of operation, the three FedEx planes will operate on long-range routes between FedEx hubs in Asia and North America. Additional routes from Europe to North America and Europe to Asia will be added as more aircraft are added to the fleet in coming years.
...

I don't think DMIA will have any problems handling the A380, right...?

DMIA will most likely be able to handle the A380 with no problems. It is NAIA that should be upgraded.

DMIA can even handle Space Shuttle landings. an A380 shouldn't be much of a problem. As for NAIA, the runway can handle the A380. Its just the taxiways that are questionable

And now on the Medical side of business

Top Japanese firm keen on Subic medical center
By Bebot Sison Jr.
The Philippine Star 03/13/2005

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — The Tokushukai Medical Group, Japan’s largest medical services provider, has expressed interest in making the Subic Freeport its next health and medical training hub in Asia.

This was bared by Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Administrator Alfredo Antonio during the recent visit of Dr. Takao Suzuki, president and chief executive officer of the Tokushukai Medical Group.

"We are pleased that a prestigious company like Tokushukai is looking at the possibility of putting up a center for its operations here. Subic can be a very strategic location for a medical facility of this nature," Antonio told The STAR.

Antonio stressed the importance of having a central medical center here that will not only cater to Subic and Olongapo but also to nearby provinces like Bataan, Zambales and even Pampanga.

"The idea of a world-class medical center here in Subic is very commendable because not only does it take out the burden of going to Manila for treatment but now, (people from) nearby areas like Zambales, Bataan and Subic can get medical treatment here," he said.

Accompanying the Tokushukai delegation to Subic was Sen. Richard Gordon, chairman of the Philippine National Red Cross. Suzuki earlier had expressed to the senator his interest in setting up a medical facility here.

"Subic can very well accommodate Tokushukai. The presence of an airport and a seaport can be utilized to bring in medical equipment and goods as well as patients from all over the Asian region," Gordon said.

He also cited Subic’s potential as a retirement facility for elderly Japanese who cannot stand the cold winter season in Japan.

"The center can also be a retirement facility that can host Japanese senior citizens who cannot stand the cold weather in Japan. This would be a good boost to our country’s tourism," he added.

The Tokushukai group was given a briefing and a tour of possible sites for the medical center such as the former naval magazine area and the Upper Mau section of Cubi Point.

Tokushukai is currently the largest medical services provider in Japan, and has 217 medical facilities worldwide, including 57 general hospitals.

The company is also committed to set up a 1,000-bed, $100-million hospital in the Philippines.

The hospital, which will be called the Benigno Aquino Memorial Hospital, will cater to Filipinos, foreigners and Japanese nationals residing in the country and those who may travel to the Philippines to benefit from lower medical costs.

Hmm interesting. First they expressed interest in starting up a hospital in Bay City and now this.

Yup because the Japanese government is really interested in making Pinas a retirement haven for their elderlies. That's why they are investing in infrastructure and health care amongst others. Also, it's more cheaper for them to bring the elderlies here than taking care of them in Japan.

Sweet...That should boost our Medical Tourism industry, and provide higher levels of medical care in the country.

I'm still puzzled by the term "medical tourism." I understand what it means, but perhaps tourism shouldn't be the right word. Anyway, this is a very interesting development.

It is a little bit off, yeah? well, i didnt name it:D

I would just call it the medical sevice sectore...tourism is more like a come and go of foreiners, which is a very different case.

sweet...!! is this the same group that planned on putting up a facility in one of the reclaimed land in Manila Bay? so they're putting it in Subic instead? or are they doing both..? I think the Subic one is a better idea. less competition from other first-class hospitals in the metro. and after they complete the SCTEx (which should be done before the hospital...? hehe!) it could possibly add more flights to DMIA where patients land and then go to Subic.

I think it's called Medical Tourism cause patients go to foreign countries for cheaper medical treatment plus a short vacation around the country on the side... another reason why they might choose Subic cause there are a couple good tourist destinations there, right..?

Yes and it's so near the Pinatubo site. All our volcanoes are tourist attractions too don't ya think.

Anyone have any pictures of Olongapo City? My family used to live there (in Bario Baretto in fact) before moving to the states. I'd love to see what the city looks like now. From the Filipinas I talk to in the Hospital, it seems to have a reputation as one of the cleaner cities of the Philippines. Any pictures would sure be appreciated! Particularly around the Columban College area (where I went for Elem. School) and the beaches along that highway towards Baretto.

Thanks!

-Ron.

Anyone have any pictures of Olongapo City? My family used to live there (in Bario Baretto in fact) before moving to the states. I'd love to see what the city looks like now. From the Filipinas I talk to in the Hospital, it seems to have a reputation as one of the cleaner cities of the Philippines. Any pictures would sure be appreciated! Particularly around the Columban College area (where I went for Elem. School) and the beaches along that highway towards Baretto.

Thanks!

-Ron.

from aerial pics of the phil. posted by tyrrone

olongapo & subic
http://www.subicbaypi.com/sub_pho_aerial040.jpg

Great aerial:okay: Is subic reclaimed land? it kinda looks like it is. Where is the seaport?

when i was in subic, i stayed in a resort at the bottom of the airport runway (the part that bulges out).

Subic is not reclaimed (though there are piers on a big chunk of it), in fact Cubi used to be a mountain which they cut down to the sea (the name cubi is derived from the challenge of admiral eckeckeck who expressed his disbelief about building an airfield in the area in the amount of time budgeted, back in the 50's , "Can you build it? " and it was)

The port is in the NSD (Naval Supply Depot) the huge warehouse type buildings seen in the central left of the building. And the new area the Japanese are developing are around the area near the resort where greyx used to stay in.

Medical Tourism is that segment of Tourism which caters to tourists who take advantage of arbitrage pricing in another part of the world for the same set of medical services. There is a bigger portion which is elective (a lot of tummy tucks, nose jobs, etc) though there is a growing portion which addresses major operations as well (e.g. you can buy some kidneys here in asia as opposed to waiting for someone to die in the US).The big guys in this place is Singapore which serves INdia and ASEAN and thailand -sex change capital of the world.

This is differentiated from Retirement Farms or Old Age Hospices and Caregiving facilities which have a residential aspect to it. As opposed to the above that there is a throughput for the facilities and services and have a definite term of stay. These residences ussually have a longer and unfixed term (ussually till they expire).

The Philippines is positioning for both areas.

thanks for that aerial shot @Dr._Joe. now I wanna go there again. :D

Thanks for the info bustero:) Is this correct?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v735/GreyX/subic_aerial2.jpg

Nope, both old and new ports are to the left of the areas

ngek, bakit parang ang liit naman...diba dapat mgiging international big port yan?

And Subic seems a bit crowded to me, like the urbanity is clustered up in one small crowded area. Sana mag expand naman sila.

Subic is not crowded at all. It is quite spacious. I think you are looking at Olongapo City in the lower half of the picture.

Yeah... parang maliit lang yung "international seaport" nila.

BUSTERO: some parts of Olongapo were actually reclaimed areas (the ones going to the Freeport area ("base area") and the whole of the Freeport's CBD area.
GREYX: the old port you pointed in the photo ^ is the SRF (Ship Repair Facility) where the Bravo and Rivera Wharf were located plus the Juliet Pier on rivera South. The New port there is where some of the beaches were located (All Hand's and Officer's). Penta Shimitzu Toa will develop it to a new(sea) port.

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer:

SINGAPORE--Singapore-based regional budget airline Tiger Airways began selling tickets for flights to the Philippines to be launched next month.

The airline will fly three times weekly from April 5 to Clark Field, a former US air force base some 80 kilometers north of Manila that has been converted into a commercial airport.

The Singapore-based carrier will raise the frequency of the flights to five times a week in June, it said in a statement.

Fares for a one-way trip to Clark Field will start from 25.98 Singapore dollars.

More than 90,000 Filipinos reside in Singapore, according to the Philippine embassy. Singapore is also used as a travel hub by Filipinos working in other countries in Asia, the Middle East and Europe.

Tiger Airways currently flies to Bangkok, Phuket, Hatyai and Chiang Mai. It will start flying to Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Macau next month.

The carrier, 49-percent owned by Singapore Airlines, is in competition with an array of budget airlines in the region, including Singapore-based Valuair, Qantas-backed Jetstar Asia and Malaysia's AirAsia.

(1 US dollar = 1.62 Singapore dollars = 53.922 pesos)

I just tried their website and including taxes and charges, you can get tickets for roundtrip flights from Clark to Singapore for about 100 Singapore Dollars -- thats about 60 US dollars or 3,400 Philippine Pesos.

That's much cheaper than going to Hong Kong or even Cebu.

I read about Tiger Airways opening up to DMIA too... their fares are indeed surprisingly low. I wonder how the service is though. like exactly just how low-cost these new budget carriers are. and whether they're reliable...

ummm, re: the new port in Subic. it is already under construction, right? how big will it be? I mean, relative to the main ports in Manila right now...

P3400.00!?! WOW!!! i sure hope that is true.. cuz we're planning to visit my brother who works in singapore later in the year.. geez.. even if it goes up to P5000.00 it is still dirt cheap.. i hope that the service and the flight quality is up to par..

nice.. to have a new airline company flying to the country and at least DMIA will have international flights... will this be the first international flight for the airport?

nice.. to have a new airline company flying to the country and at least DMIA will have international flights... will this be the first international flight for the airport?

no... but I think it might be the first scheduled int'l service though. right now Asiana has charter flights. but they are regular now, so those might be considered scheduled flights too.

P3400.00!?! WOW!!! i sure hope that is true.. cuz we're planning to visit my brother who works in singapore later in the year.. geez.. even if it goes up to P5000.00 it is still dirt cheap.. i hope that the service and the flight quality is up to par..

I don't think service quality and reliability will be up to par with even PAL's services, but for that price, yeah... I think it would still be a great value. haha!

I don't think service quality and reliability will be up to par with even PAL's services, but for that price, yeah... I think it would still be a great value. haha!

AMEN to that.. hahaha..

AMEN to that.. hahaha..

bka unahan ng upuaan sa loob ng eroplano, first come first serve basis

Asiana Has Scheduled flights no more Charter

bka unahan ng upuaan sa loob ng eroplano, first come first serve basis

well that's typical of no-frills airlines, parang sa Amazing Race;) also airlines like such don't brag about their service, there's barely any unless you pay extra. to bitch about Jetstar, Tiger, RyanAir or whatever about their service is like complaining how your own dump smells.

thanks archie...im still a little bit confused, but less than before:D

bka unahan ng upuaan sa loob ng eroplano, first come first serve basis

Most airlines (both low-cost and full-service carriers) overbook their flights so it's a scramble to get to the airport and check-in first before your "so-called" reserved seat is given away to someone else, the reason is there's always someone who will not show up for the flight and someone willing enough to pay more than the average fare to get to where they want to go at the earliest and fastest time.

The first and only time I took a low-cost carrier was Southwest Airlines and at the gate where my flight was boarding, people were turned away because the flight was full and were told to wait for the next available flight for that day or come back the next day and be the first to the gate. Rarely if ever they'll refund you your money even if you didn't fly at the expected date and time you booked for, they'll just give you travel vouchers for your next flight with them.

wht a lousy service

well that's why they're cheap..:D

thanks archie...im still a little bit confused, but less than before:D

confused bout the old and new port?.... the one u pointed in the picture is correct...we have several wharves and piers around subic though.

well that's why they're cheap..:D

Talk about cheap, I was at a bookstore last night and picked up a copy of Airliners magazine and in it was a feature article about Ryanair, Europe's leading low-cost air carrier. They equip their aircrafts with no window shades, seats don't recline, no seatback pockets, no food and beverage service on their flights and no refunds for cancelled flights! But more people are flying Ryanair around Europe than those who patronizes the major carriers.

Is there a direct expressway from clark to the manila area?

Is there a direct expressway from clark to the manila area?

Nope. That is why the gov't is building the Subic-Clark-Tarlac expressway. When the Expressway passes through clark. im pretty sure they will be building some sort of connection to NLEX. But they could have scrapped that. i forgot.

SCTEX Update :speech:

BCDA awards P21-B Subic-Tarlac tollway project to Japan firms

The Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) is set to finally award the contract to the winning Japanese contractors for the construction of the P21-billion Subic-Clark-Tarlac tollroad after the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) approved the revised cost of the infrastructure project, it was learned Thursday.

JBIC sources said the awarding of the contract to the winners of the Subic to Clark phase covering 50.5 kilometers and the Clark to Tarlac phase covering 43.27 kilometers would be held within this week.

Click here (http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=942) for the entire story.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

finally!! yay... haha!! hopefully construction will really start by June na... I like the way Phase I and Phase II are being done by two different contractors so that both can be started and completed basically simultaneously...

well, it was a loong overdued project... i remember it was in 1999-2000 that we were attending the coordination meeting regarding the SCT Expressway project. AT LAST!

finally!! yay... haha!! hopefully construction will really start by June na... I like the way Phase I and Phase II are being done by two different contractors so that both can be started and completed basically simultaneously...

is this confirmed? or finish phase 1 then start with phase 2...

is this for real? =)

is this confirmed? or finish phase 1 then start with phase 2...

yeah... I'm pretty sure that's how they are gonna do it. cause a lot of previous articles have mentioned that. I'll try to look up older articles...

Thats great...but i thought it was phase I before phase II?

SCTE Phase I and Phase II simultaneously??? *got to verify this one* confirmation pleazzzzzzzzz!!

An image of Subic that I found...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v137/Ghost9/cubipt1.jpg

Great picture of Cubi Point. I love how Subic's surroundings is still very much forested. The Americans did a good job of minimizing damage to the environment.

Great picture of Cubi Point. I love how Subic's surroundings is still very much forested. The Americans did a good job of minimizing damage to the environment.

OO nga, ganda talaga ng Subic

Malaysian budget carrier AirAsia spread wings to Manila
03/21 7:04:12 PM

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) - Southeast Asia's top budget carrier AirAsia said Monday it would spread its wings to the Philippines next month, further expanding its reach in the region to stay ahead of growing competition.

From April 5, it said daily flights would be launched simultaneously from two Malaysian points -- the capital Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah state -- to the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport, formerly Clark Angeles Airport, in Pampanga.

"We aim to provide more connections for the people of the Philippines to visit Malaysia and to enhance the hub status of Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu, Sabah," AirAsia's chief executive Tony Fernandes said in a statement.

"By connecting Clark to Malaysia and linking it to our network of flights serving Thailand, Indonesia, and Macau, AirAsia is indirectly bringing the people of ASEAN closer and thus one step nearer to achieve a borderless ASEAN policy."

I just tried their website and the total cost for a Clark - Kuala Lumpur round trip flight is PhP 5,313!! Unbelievable. That is less than US$100!!

To Kota Kinabalu, it is even cheaper!! PhP 5,013!

An image of Subic that I found...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v137/Ghost9/cubipt1.jpg

I like to visit those white sand beaches by the airport and also do some hiking in the rainforest. I know they are priming Subic as an Eco destination. Has anyone in here done the canopy walk in Subic?

Pearl of the Orient Seas - The Philippines (http://community.webshots.com/user/jbkayaker12)

Jon

I like to visit those white sand beaches by the airport and also do some hiking in the rainforest. I know they are priming Subic as an Eco destination. Has anyone in here done the canopy walk in Subic?
The room for expansion in Subic is very small though. It will have a hard time evolving into a metropolis. In a way, it's a good thing though.

With Clark, the room for expansion seems endless. ;)

@ Jon - I didnt do the canopy walk, but i did stay at a resort on the beaches right next to the airport. It was alright...pretty good value. but their jetski didnt work:(

Subic's airport looks a lot more "organized" than the aerials of DMIA in the first page of the thread... and yeah, it does look like it's reclaimed land although it isn't. haha! is a lot of the FedEX traffic visible from those resorts and beaches?

SCTE Phase I and Phase II simultaneously??? *got to verify this one* confirmation pleazzzzzzzzz!!

I just went through all the pages of this thread and I haven't found the article. maybe I don't remember right... hehe... okay, so for now, that's not sure. I'm gonna go look in the other threads with articles about the SCTEX. too bad there's no longer the search feature...

I FOUND IT!!

hahahaha!! yeah... err... here...

Funding for SCT highway project awaits JBIC okay
By Marianne V. Go | The Philippine Star | 12/15/2004

...
Both packages, Chan said, would be undertaken at the same time so as not to further delay the road project which will connect the two former US military bases.
...
it was in post #58 of the "Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway" (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=2783130&postcount=58) thread. haha...!

and, umm... I found this image in post #37 (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=2516683&postcount=37) on the same thread. it's from one of the magazine articles about BCDA and the Subic-Clark alliance...

http://www.bcda.gov.ph/images/global011.jpg

in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone rendering thing, it shows the new port being built in the little buldge beside the runway where the resorts you guys mentioned are. are they reclaiming land there, or is it not actually there? bustero said they were building the new port somewhere else...

Thanks for the info bustero:) Is this correct?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v735/GreyX/subic_aerial2.jpg

Nope, both old and new ports are to the left of the areas

I'm still puzzled by the term "medical tourism." I understand what it means, but perhaps tourism shouldn't be the right word. Anyway, this is a very interesting development.

Tourism is The business of providing tours and services for tourists. So if we offer our world class services to foreign nationals to have a cosmetic surgery, nursing and medical services in a modern hospital, foreign nationals will be encourage to visit us and take our services instead of doing it in their country which is very expensive. We are doing it in the field of Medicine so i think Medical Tourism is the right term :D

:master: thanks absent for all the info you dug up:)

:master: thanks absent for all the info you dug up:)

hahaha!! no problem...! :D

hi...sorry for my ignorance...but where is Subic and Clark exactly. I know that clark is close to Angeles City and that its close to Pinatubo. But I don't know exactly how far it is from places like Manila. How far is it from manila? All i remember is that when I took the bus to baguio, we had a stop over at Angeles City for lunch. please let me know...thanks! As well, are they going to unite this two areas, and make it into a big big big city or something? or are they too far apart?

Subic is located in the province of Zambales, adjoining the boundary of Bataan. It's about 5 to 6 hrs. drive from Manila. It's also near the Pinatubo area. Clark is in Angeles City Pampangga, about 3 hrs. drive from Manila. A new highway will connect the two Industrial parks soon.

More Subic development:
From the Inquirer today, a leading Chinese glass manufacturing firm is planning tol invest a $300 million glass manufacturing plant in Subic Free port.
SBMA Administrator Alfredo Antonio said Wang Changlin, president of Hebei Jingniu, a major glass company in China, has considered plans to put up his firm's glass factory at the Subic Gateway District.

thanks

Hi guys i saw this photo of Tyronne in AERIAL Pics, its the Clark International Airport and I think we can only build an airport terminal similar to NAIA terminal 3 or Kansai Terminal in this airport because of the layout of the 2 existing runways and with the rapid development that clark is experiencing today by the time we needed to construct the airport terminal the DMIA will be crowded.

http://www.clarkab.org/photos/a08.jpg
http://www.clarkab.org/photos/a13.jpg

hi...sorry for my ignorance...but where is Subic and Clark exactly. I know that clark is close to Angeles City and that its close to Pinatubo. But I don't know exactly how far it is from places like Manila. How far is it from manila? All i remember is that when I took the bus to baguio, we had a stop over at Angeles City for lunch. please let me know...thanks! As well, are they going to unite this two areas, and make it into a big big big city or something? or are they too far apart?

They're close.

Subic is 90km using the most direct route (North Diversion/Olongapo-Gapan) and Clark 75( really depends which exit you take as there are several ways to geth there)km. While this may sound like alot think downtown LA all the way down to OC and we're still in it. It's development is integrated in that one has the airport the other the seaport, these two big pieces of infrastructure are what's designed to be the drivers for the area's economy.

It's on the 10 point agenda to be a major driver and a way to get people OUT of Manila. It probably will not be a big city as there is at least 60km in between ( abig chunk of it is lahar with another air force base (basa -PAF) in between). Both areas are big enough anyway to accomodate millions to not have the need for an LA type urban sprawl. YOu can also include Tarlac which has Hacienda Luisita which the Cojuangco's are pushing to be a third leg but it's not a freeport just an industrial park.

We actually were going after that project and to my recollection it was on Cubi but toward the left where the ship was parked. There's an existing quay there and it will not take too much more to expand it. I'll double check as I have to go there soon anyway.

Subic airport looks more organized in the picture just because walang laman. Plus it really is a much smaller airport than clark - not even half or a third if I'm not mistaken. Subic does not even have a proper taxiway from what i remember. When the americans left I was able to drive around the runway and it's really for the military as iba ang requirements nila. Even the end of the runway was used as a crossing for vehicles sometimes.

When you say Canopy walk are you referring to the Slide for life - hang line - zip line. YOu tie yourself to line and zip down. I don't know of a canopy walk like in South America or Cagayan but maybe there's a new one. But there is a slide for life thing which is excellent. It's in three parts and you zip along in the jungle downward from a hill to the bottom. you have to change two times to curve around the forest. Of course the hard part is climbing back up!

Awesome...That sounds so fun. I should have tried that when i was in Subic.