PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte, through Executive Order (EO) 81, has expanded the list of business activities allowed inside the 290-hectare Clark Industrial Estate 5 (IE5).
Duterte signed EO 81 on June 4, reclassifying Clark IE5 as international hub of commerce, industry, leisure and recreation. It aims to promote Clark as "globally competitive international commercial center in the Asia-Pacific Region."
"The Clark Special Economic Zone and Clark Freeport Zone, including the IE5, has attracted international attention and interest as the Asia-Pacific Region's emerging premiere hub for aviation and international logistics, as well as an international center for commerce, industry, leisure, and recreation," the EO read.
"The expansion of the permitted activities allowed in the IE5 and the reclassification thereof as an international center for commerce, industry, leisure and recreation, are vital to the development of the entire Clark area as a globally competitive international commercial center in the Asia-Pacific region," it added.
Under EO 716 inked in 2008, the Clark IE5 is declared as a logistics center, thus mandating the Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) to engage just in "aviaton, aviation-related services and aviation-related logistics activities."
Duterte's EO 14 signed in 2017 provides that a business activity within the Clark IE5 areas is allowed, given that it secures the approval of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA).
In his latest directive, as stated under EO 81, Duterte reclassified Clark IE5 area "without prejudice to any rights and interests under existing contracts, leases and business aragements" that have been lawfully entered into by the CIAC prior to the effectivity of the order.
EO 81 authorizes the CIAC to enter into lease agreements and similar business arrangements covering the IE5 for a broad range of commercial, industrial and leisure and recreation-related activities.
"For all other business activities, prior approval of the DOTr and BCDA shall be secured," the order reads.
Palace released a copy of EO 81 on Monday, June 10. (Ruth Abbey Gita/SunStar Philippines)