CLARK FREEPORT -- The Pinoy Gumising Ka Movement (PGKM) said the Clark Green City (CGC) is the best location for the new training center of Philippine athletes.
PGKM head Ruperto Cruz, owner of the Hacienda Royal Golf and Country Club and Grand Palazzo Royale, issued the statement in response to the call of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) for the immediate transfer of the national training center from Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila to Clark.
Cruz asked Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco to consider transferring the sports complex to the CGC, which is under the territorial jurisdiction of the latter’s home province in Tarlac.
The businessman said that the Clark aviation complex is not a strategic location for the transfer plan because the airport and the sports facility will affect each other.
A growing international airport like the Clark International Airport (CRK) requires more space for its support facilities and expansion program, according to Cruz.
This is a clear indication of conspiracy among national leaders and tycoons in Metro Manila to prevent the development of Clark airport, he added. “Anya tutu ing sasabyan tamu na ating conspiracy to sabotage the full development of Clark airport."
The House of Representatives committee on youth and sports development, together with the POC and the Philippine Sports Commission, conducted an ocular inspection on the possible sites of the new training center at the Clark Green City and Clark aviation complex.
Pampanga First District Representative Joseller “Yeng” Guiao said the Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) offered a 50-hectare land inside the aviation complex.
Cruz said CRK officials should allow airport-related operations inside Clark aviation complex and not sports complex and other industries like garment factories.
He earlier assailed CIAC for extending the contract of Luen Thai (L&T) garments factory which is situated in front of the airport.
“It is blocking the view of the airport. The huge space that L&T occupies should instead be used as parking space of passengers using the airport,” he said.