Sunday, March 30, 2008 Gueco: Biyahe Na By Malu T. Gueco Aslagan
WHAT a breakthrough in speedy travel!
Opening the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) boosted up our transport history as President Gloria Macacapagal-Arroyo celebrated comfortable travel to North and Central Luzon.
President Gloria Arroyo drove through the four-lane highway on a bright Tuesday morning to inaugurate the infrastructure linkage of her regional base.
The 50 kilometers long Southern portion of the expressway covered the Subic-Clark terra firma.
Springing up immediately were these threefold benefits: One, cutting through the travel time from Clark to Subic is now a reality. This is now pegged at forty minutes. What a great relief for the commuting public!
Second, bolstering of trade and commerce.
Raw materials from the Subic Freeport can now be transported to the factories and processing plants of Clark and Tarlac.
Conversely, the end products can be shipped out readily from Subic thereafter.
Third, initiated investment and employment opportunities. This is a boom cycle that will uplift commerce, tourism and labor levels, consequently, energizing our economy.
Secretary Pamintuan
The group of officials who joined the President last March 18 were Secretary Edgardo Pamintuan, Governors Panlilio (Pampanga), Yap (Tarlac), Garcia (Bataan).
Mabalacat Mayor Marino "Boking" Morales also graced the said occasion.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the new tollway, Secretary Ed Pamintuan stated this comment.
"We are proud of this Kapampamgan landmark. Worthily, opening the SCTEx corridor is a shot in the economic arm of our region, concomitantly, our country."
Today we start our journey towards the realization of being the hub of transshipment in the Southeast Asia terrain. This was ably accomplished with the creation of SCADC.
The Subic-Clark alliance for Development Council or SCADC was created through Executive Order (EO) 504 in February, 2006.
Its mandate is to develop Subic and Clark as the most competitive international services and logistics center in the Asia-Pacific Region. We now see the following initiatives.
First, there is the development of the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA).
The DMIA Terminal Radar Approach inaugurated last March marked the establishment of the most modern radar system in the country.
The expansion of the DMIA Passenger Terminal shall increase the airport capacity from one million to two million passengers.
Second, we are in the process of harmonizing the immigration, customs and quarantine policies and procedures of Subic and Clark and the Export Processing Zone of Taiwan.
All these efforts will ensure the seamless transport of goods and services.
Kudos to Secretary Pamintuan and his energetic team for leading the way to progress, participation and possibilities.
In sum
Happily, driving through the SCTEx with the media team from Clark on that momentous Tuesday morning, this writer felt the fresh winds of change blowing in our Kapampangan region, Philippine archipelago and Asian terrain.
We are one with our Kabalens, Filipinos and Asian sisters and brothers in the pursuit of transport transformation.
Our 21st century ushers in the global unity that inspires oneness, accord and harmony.
To all our readers brighten up your Sunday. BIYAHE NA!
