CLARK Development Corp. president Levy P. Laus was not just being politically correct or wisely PR-oriented when he credited President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for the glowing indicators of growth in the Clark Freeport Zone.
For all intents and purposes, he was just being right about it, including the facts and figures that visibly support his recent report on why Clark is probably the next best thing in the Philippines today, if not the first.
Investment-wise, all roads seem to lead to Clark, with no less than one of the biggest companies in the world, Texas Instruments, choosing it for a mind-boggling US$1 million initial infusion. The investment is such that even President Arroyo has been recalled as gushing that it is one of the biggest in the country's history.
As for the American company's choice of Clark, the President herself has been heard commending Clark Freeport's conducive business climate. By this, there was no mistaking she means it in the present tense.
Laus, a corporate and marketing man of solid track record and no-mean feat before he was tapped for the job by the President more than a year ago, has not only an excellent business and politics sense but economic grasp as well.
He, therefore, whereof he spoke when he said that the real grounding of growth and development in Clark were the impressive gains made by the economy under the President's watch. His view is affirmed no less by independent analysts here and abroad who agree that the economy has been doing very well -- in fact, much better than expected.
Not too far away and not too long ago, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority chairman Feliciano Salonga cited the President's uncanny vision for putting together an ambitious plan to develop Clark and Subic and its larger environ through modern and massive infrastructure projects, especially the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway.
Salonga, who sounded half-apologetic for being too affirmative rather than critical of the President, said such a vision could only come from one who had brains.
Laus resonates Salonga's perception, noting that the modern expressway will be a big boon and attraction to all stakeholders at Clark Freeport.
With close to P90 billion in investments and growing (it leaped 400 percent last year), about 55,000 jobs and increasing (looking forward conservatively to 58,000 this year) and all other good things that appear to get even better in the years ahead, Clark is something to watch for this year. In other fronts, Laus's crystal ball is no less optimistic, especially with his novel idea of "rebranding" Clark.
Being bullish about Clark seems just about right, indeed.
And on hindsight, the President could not have probably pick a better man in Laus to be part of her Clark team, one who not only understands and shares his vision for a progressive Pampanga and Central Luzon but knows what to do and how to do it right.
