CDC prexy embarking on ‘crusade’

CLARK FREEPORT -- Newly installed Clark Development Corporation (CDC) president Arthur Tugade said he is embarking on putting the firm and this Freeport in line with President Benigno Aquino III’s governance promise.

During a forum with selected members of the Kapampangan media on Monday, Tugade said his “crusade” is meant to “improve the corporation financially and make an impact on culture, values and how the very things have to be done at CDC.”

He particularly noted that reforms have to be instituted, particularly on generating revenues and “to save” as he identified on CDC’s financial statements where expenses increased while revenues “leveled off” recently.

The 10th president of CDC expressed optimism on his mission and said “it is not hopeless.”

Already, Tugade has started with the “crusade” by revamping the security department and asking management to waive “privileges” seen to save CDC by at least P2 million in “unnecessary expenses annually.”

He himself, he revealed, has been using his personal car and has stayed in the CDC staff house to lead the example of “how to do it right,” like putting some P5 million non-income generating savings from CDC coffers to a profitable legal investment.

Tugade also emphasized that CDC will also work on “delinquent locators” in conformity with law and their contracts “to put things in order” at the Freeport.

Tugade, who runs his own logistics company, said he is embarking on the crusade after seeing that political conditions are conducive now, unlike when he first refused the appointment and other proposals to work for government.

“Before I was not inclined to that because of political situations and conditions. But President Aquino is not corrupt and his Daang Matuwid is laudable so I agreed to serve the government and help,” he said.