Saturday, August 16, 2008 Province to put up satellite office in Clark
CLARK FREEPORT -- Officials of Clark Development Corporation (CDC) and the Aurora Provincial Government have forged an agreement for the establishment of a satellite office for Aurora Province inside the Clark Freeport.
CDC president Benigno Ricafort said the satellite office of Aurora Province in Clark will serve as logistics office for the promotion of agricultural and other export products coming from the province.
Senator Edgardo Angara, who witnessed the signing of the agreement between Ricafort and Aurora Representative Juan Edgardo Angara (who signed in behalf of Governor Bellaflor Angara-Castillo), said the signing of the agreement is timely because it will complement soon the declaration of the special economic zone in the province. Angara-Castillo is on official business abroad.
The signing was held at Dusit Hotel in Makati City.
Senator Angara also told Ricafort that Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) will soon be extended up to Baler in Aurora which will make the province some two hours away from Clark.
At present, Aurora, located at the northeastern side of Central Luzon, is more than three hours away from Clark.
The establishment of a satellite office is likewise necessary for future economic, trade and other forms of cooperation that will help in the growth of tourism in Clark, Senator Angara said.
"If Clark has 10,800 hectares for development as next frontier, Aurora is also seen as the 'next frontier' in Central Luzon," Senator Angara said during the signing of the agreement.
He said infrastructure leading to Aurora is being readied by the government because of the heightened economic and tourism activities in the province.
The satellite office of Aurora Province is located at the Building 2083, which is one of the "Barnhouses," along Cardinal Santos Avenue which were identified and approved by CDC for lease to government offices particularly the Mabalacat Municipal Government and the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).
Ricafort said government offices are vital to the development thrust of the state-owned corporation for Clark Freeport and Clark Special Economic Zone (sub-zone area).
