A TOP official of the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) has underscored the importance of implementing programs for culture and sports.

As Clark is declared bike friendly zone, CDC President Manuel Gaerlan said the rights and of bikers and cyclists should be respected.

Gaerlan said CDC is currently working on more infrastructure projects dedicated to avid cyclists and leisure bikers in Clark.

“We are not just building infrastructures, but we also have ongoing improvements and additional bike paths, a bike pitstop which is a project that we have already completed, a cross country trail, and of course we have a beginner’s trail for the kids, and other facilities that would really enhance and make Clark as biker-friendly,” he said.

“More important than the infrastructures, I would like to promote among all the stakeholders in Clark, the locators, the residents, and the visitors, let’s respect the rights of bikers and cyclists by awarding them equal opportunities on the road. We are promoting safety practices and also road courtesy as far as bikers and drivers are concerned,” he added.

Gaerlan also appealed to the public to respect everyone’s journey and share the road among motorists and cyclists.

For his part, Pamintuan expressed his elation on the projects for cycling that have been in the pipeline even before the pandemic started.

“Maybe some people thought that Clark is only interested in generating revenues but no it’s not, and it is more than that. It’s also focusing on other areas like supporting Philippine culture and sports. I may not be really sporty but I can now say that we are all in this together, and this has now become a biker’s dream,” he said.

A simultaneous hybrid ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at the Clark Parade Grounds including the Biker’s Pitstop and the Clark Cross Country (CXC) Trail – two of the newest biking destinations in this Freeport.

This coincides with the Philippine Cycling Festival with more or less 3,000 cyclists, spectators, organizers, and sponsors participating.

The event was organized by Neo Zigma and Interval Gear Inc. on June 3 to June 5, 2022.

CDC’s Engineering Services Group headed by CDC Vice President Dennis C. Legaspi has lined up several projects that will promote biking to boost tourism in Clark.

According to Legaspi, there will be designated bike marshals tasked to keep the safety and security of bikers.

Signage with emergency hotlines will be placed in various areas inside the Freeport.

Other officials present during the event were CDC Director Ana Liza A. Peralta, Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) Senior Vice President (SVP) for Business Joshua M. Bingcang, and BCDA SVP for Corporate Services Group Arrey A. Perez.

Also joining them are Department of Tourism (DOT-3) Regional Director Carolina Uy, Angeles City Councilor Raco Del Rosario representing Angeles City Mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr., and Mabalacat City Administrator Franco Madlangbayan.