WITH his in-depth knowledge in Clark Development Corporation’s operations as a director since 2019, newly-installed CDC President and CEO Manuel R. Gaerlan wasted no time instructing management and executive officers to focus on the Freeport’s “economic reset, rebound, and recovery” in their first meeting after being sworn in.
Among others, he is pushing for modern technology to be fully incorporated and utilized to their maximum potential to promote the ease of doing business. This was none more evident than during the pandemic when various CDC offices resorted to alternative modes of communication to handle business concerns of stakeholders and visitors alike.
Gaerlan is confident that the same technology integrated into CDC’s own systems, methods, and processes will eventually attract more investments in the areas of manufacturing, logistics, and tourism.
For a national recovery after the pandemic, the Clark Freeport Zone and all other economic zones must continuously deliver services to stakeholders that are par with, or better than, international standards.
CDC has been in the forefront of the government’s efforts to mitigate the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic among the general populace. This led to a concerted effort among CDC and member-LGUs of the Metro Clark Advisory Council (MCAC) to provide every possible assistance for their constituents and Freeport workers alike, including non-member LGUs such as Magalang, Pampanga and Concepcion, Tarlac.
As businesses started to re-open in the Freeport, the continuous coordination eventually paved the way for uniform guidelines among the LGUs for employees crossing municipal and provincial boundaries while maintaining strict health protocols.
Gaerlan intends to send the same message of business refinement for investors and welfare enhancement for their employees in subsequent meetings with stakeholders and officials of LGUs.
During the courtesy call of Gaerlan to MCAC Co-chairman Cris Garbo, the Mabalacat City Mayor presented the Dau-Mabiga road project to President Gaerlan, a pipeline project which will ease traffic flow and entry access to the Clark Freeport Zone. Garbo also requested the CDC president to reopen the Dau gate for this year.
With former president GMA as Clark flagship projects adviser and another Kapampangan top official whom I learned is going to be appointed as well, Clark’s MRG will definitely hit the ground running.
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Kuya J Pelayo IV is a Kapampangan broadcast journalist. For comments and suggestions, e-mail at 4th.pelayo@gmail.com.