CLARK FREEPORT -- An advocacy group has reiterated that the P7 billion Clark Green Frontier mixed-use facility project of the Capilion Corporation Limited will affect the development of Clark International Airport.
The Pinoy Gumising Ka Movement (PGKM), a local people's organization calling for the full development and utilization of Clark airport, issued the statement after it obtained photographs of Clark Development Corporation (CDC) president Arthur Tugade presenting Capilion's development plan to Angeles City officials.
In one of the photographs, PGKM chair Ruperto Cruz said Tugade is seen directing the power point presentation as the Capilion project is flashed on the screen while local officials including Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan, Liga ng mga Barangay president Lito Ganzon, Malabanias Barangay Captain Rey Gueco and others were listening.
"Why is Tugade the one presenting the Capilion project to city officials when he is the CDC president and not the Capilion CEO?" asked Cruz.
"From the time we first heard of Capilion, not one executive of the company has come forward to explain their project to the people," he said. "It's always Tugade and the CDC that have painstakingly explained its benefits," added.
The PGKM chair also said Capillion of Singapore is spelled with a double L while Tugade’s Capilion is spelled with only a single letter L which is definitely not the same.
Some city officials and businessmen are opposing the project because of its location which is at the main entrance of Clark Freeport.
Cruz said that the commercial facility cause traffic congestion in the area and affect the operation of Clark airport. Aside from this, he also claimed that it will compete with locals who are into business like hotels, business process outsourcing, restaurants, retails, and others.
Cruz said Pamintuan should act on the issue because the social cost of the project will become a burden to the people of Angeles.
He also disclosed that a group of businessmen from the city filed a case against CDC at the Regional Trial Court (RTC) here.
The group sued CDC after it demolished their stalls located along the perimeter fence of Clark, according to Cruz.
“There is a clear conspiracy against them (stall owners),” Cruz said.
Pamintuan should have fought for the rights of his constituents, said Cruz.
The Capilion project will block the view of the numerous hotels and establishments located along the Clark perimeter fence.
Noel Tulabut , manager of the CDC Communications Department, said Cruz's allegations are not true and baseless.