Saturday, August 09, 2008 SCTEX to improve tourism in C. Luzon By Reynaldo G. Navales
MABALACAT -- Tourism in Central Luzon has been in an upbeat mood following the full operation of the 94-kilometer Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) recently.
This was disclosed by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA). The Clark-Tarlac segment opened on July 25 while the Subic-Clark portion began commercial operations on April 28.
Regional Development Council (RDC) for the Ilocos Region chairman Salvador Duque said that providing a fast, safe and convenient access is integral to the country's tourism business.
With the new expressway, travel hours from Manila to Zambales and Bataan were reduced to almost half the time. Motorists going to Nueva Ecija and northern parts of Luzon, particularly Pangasinan, Baguio, La Union and Ilocos provinces, save almost an hour-and-a-half by passing through the Clark-to Tarlac segment of the expressway.
Based on traffic volume data, close to half million motorists have used the expressway since it opened last April. Majority of motorists have found SCTEX as a fast and convenient access to both Subic and Clark from all the major points in Luzon, including Metro Manila and Baguio.
This upward trend of traffic volume is expected to continue because there are now more entertainment choices and alternatives made available to travelers visiting Central Luzon.
"Visitors who wish to stay in Subic, for example, can take a 45-minute trip via SCTEX to events in Angeles City and return the same day. Those who are staying in Clark area, on the other hand, can always go to resorts in Zambales and be back in their hotels the same day without much hassle," Duque said.
Duque also noted that tourists from Northern Luzon provinces like La Union and Pangasinan can now visit Central Luzon more frequently because of the shorter travel time and excellent road conditions.
Local businessmen hoped that SCTEX will provide the much-awaited boost to Central Luzon's tourism and economic activities.
Duque said tourism is one of the strong potentials of the country to usher in the much-needed development.
"Central Luzon has tourist spots with similar appeal or better than any other places in Asia. SCTEX provides an efficient and fast transportation system to entice tourists in visiting the region, thus providing more employment and investment opportunity for Filipinos," he said.
Potential investors, according to Duque, come in the country initially as tourists.
"If they could see that the country has all facilities to support a business, then the next time they come might be the opening of their new businesses here," he said.
SCTEX connects three economic powerhouses in Central Luzon - the Subic Bay Freeport, Clark Freeport, and the Central Techno Park in Tarlac.
Economists view that with all these infrastructures, including the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport and the seaport in Subic, are bound to help make Central Luzon a "Little China."
SCTEX will also be connected to the 85-kilometer four-lane Tarlac-La Union expressway, which is under construction, and is expected to boost trade, tourism, and speed up transportation in the provinces of Tarlac, Eastern Pangasinan and La Union.
BCDA officials said with the completion of SCTEX, Central Luzon would be ready to create a more progressive stance aimed at propelling the country to compete in the fast-rising global economy.
