CLARK FREEPORT ZONE, Pampanga, Philippines — Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) has attracted over PhpP1-billion (USD17.1 million) in new investments since its January 2025 rebranding from an airport operator to one of the country’s foremost developer of an aviation-centric business capital. CIAC President Jojit Alcazar said the agency drew a total of Php1,192,970,000.00 from approved deals between January and July 2025 which more than doubled investment inflow during the same period last year. He added the newly-infused investments will boost Clark’s upward momentum in tourism, commerce, and infrastructure which aligns well with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s call to get much-needed investments into the Philippines to support job generation and economic growth. “Since the CIAC’s rebranding, Clark Aviation Capital has continued to be a draw for both foreign and Philippines-based companies needing prime location in proximity to the Clark International Airport,” Alcazar noted. Alcazar emphasized the rebranding positioned CIAC as a leading aviation and land development arm of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) which signaled a shift from airport operations to a broader scope in infrastructure development. “These new investments translate to direct job generation, a robust ecosystem of aviation, logistics, commerce, and manufacturing, and increased investor confidence in CIAC,” Alcazar said. On top of the list of new deals is Stellavia Development Corporation (SDC), a Korean-owned construction and management company that currently operates The Glory Hotel and Residences in Clark, which committed Php600 million for the improvement of its mixed-use recreational complex. Global Square Plaza Phils., Corp. (GSPPC) committed Php400 million in capital outlay for the development of a multi-use facility with a storage warehouse, drone training school, and recreation facilities which will generate more than 100 jobs in its first year of operation. “Stellavia’s and GSPPC’s high-value projects are designed to enhance land value and transform the area into a vibrant leisure destination and stimulate local economic activity through job creation and increased visitor traffic,” Alcazar said. France-based All Fashion Gloves, Inc. (AFGI), a pioneer locator of CIAC and engaged in the manufacturing and export of premium leather goods exported from Clark to leading global fashion brands, will reinfuse Php18.27 million for the construction of new manufacturing facilities. Alcazar noted the new deals will positively impact the job generation goals of the free port zone with the hiring of more than 700 employees combined and additional employment opportunities through support industries, contractors, and service providers. UET International Corp. and UET Box Manufacturing Corp. reinvested a combined total of Php169.7 million in producing high-quality knitted products and custom shipping boxes, while fixed-base operator and ground handling service provider Skytrack Aviation Services has an investment of Php5 million to locate its office in Clark. “These firms see the strategic value of investing at the Clark Aviation Capital which continues to be recognized as a hub for innovation, opportunity, and sustainable development,” Alcazar said. Managed by CIAC, the Clark Aviation Capital is home to Clark International Airport, the mixed-use business hub Clark Global City, and over 60 locators spanning aviation, logistics, commercial, industrial, and manufacturing sectors.            

In the wake of continuous rains and widespread flooding brought by Severe Tropical Storms Crising, Dante, Typhoon Emong, and the southwest monsoon, SM Foundation rolled out its Operation Tulong Express (OPTE) to provide immediate relief to affected communities across the country. In partnership with SM Supermalls and SM Markets, the Foundation distributed more than 18,800 Kalinga Packs, containing food and basic essentials. Relief operations covered several areas, including Metro Manila, Olongapo City, Bataan, Pampanga, Rizal, Pangasinan, Cavite, Tarlac City, La Union, Laguna, Cebu City. These were distributed in coordination with local government units and barangay officials. SM Foundation AVP for Livelihood and Outreach Program Cristie Angeles that the collaboration across SM’s business units added value to the effort and allowing for a quick response to the needs of the communities. Volunteers from SM Supermalls, SM Markets, and SM Foundation worked together to pack and distribute Kalinga packs to communities and households affected by recent storms. “Through OPTE, we make sure we are there for our communities not just in good times, but especially during crises,” Angeles said. “The dedication of our employees and partners allows us to respond quickly and compassionately when our fellow Filipinos need support the most.” OPTE is a social good program of SM Foundation, implemented in partnership with SM Supermalls and SM Markets. It is aimed at delivering immediate relief to SM’s host communities during calamities and emergencies. As of writing, relief operations are ongoing, with the SM Group preparing to continue the distribution in the coming days.    

By Ruben A.Veloria SAN FELIPE, Zambales– Local officials here expressed fear on Tuesday over the safety of the two municipalities along Sto. Tomas River as portions of the mega dikes have been damaged by strong current of water flowing downstream after days southwest monsoon. The concerns of the officials were raised after Zambales Provincial Engineer Domingo Mariano, together with San Felipe Mayor Reinhard “Hart” E. Jeresano inspected mega dike’s condition in after days of heavy rain in the area. The inspection revealed that portions of the Santo Tomas River’s (also known as San Felipe River) dike were already damaged or partly collapsed. Emergency repairs and sandbagging were immediately initiated to prevent further encroachment. Engr. Mariano told reporters that currently the river bed is about 15 to 30 meters higher than the farmlands and the communities of San Felipe and San Narciso on the other sides of the dike. Mariano said that these communities will be the first to hit by massive flooding if strong current continue to damage and breached portions of the megadike.  “In San Felipe the depth of the farmlands from the river bed is 15 meters, while in San Narciso side is 25-30 meters,” Mariano said, adding that should the dike ultimately gave up, a massive rush of water mixed with sand will flow into the communities destroying properties and endangering the lives of the residents. Earlier this week, Mayor Jeresano, who conducted regular inspections of the dike since heavy rains affected the province, especially in the upper portions of Santo Tomas River, discovered that some portions of the dike were already damaged by strong downstream water current. The mayor reported the findings to the Office of Zambales Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. and requested immediate repair and continues monitoring of the dike, especially of the damaged portions. Provincial Engineering Office in response to Gov. Ebdane’s instruction immediately deployed several heavy equipment to the area and assured the public that repair activities have already started. “We will continue to monitor the dikes. Early detection and assessment is crucial in this time of situation,: Mariano said. The officials called on all municipal officials, barangay officials and residents to be more vigilant and alert for any emergency announcements.

Project to expand healthcare access in Tarlac through public land and local investment   In a bid to expand healthcare reach in Central Luzon, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) partnered with the municipal government of Capas, Tarlac for the construction of a one-hectare mega health center in New Clark City. During a discussion with Capas Mayor Atty. Roseller “Boots” Rodriguez, BCDA President and CEO Joshua M. Bingcang outlined plans for the proposed facility, wherein the agency pledged to allocate a one-hectare land in New Clark City. The project will be funded by the Department of Health (DOH), with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) overseeing bidding and construction. Upon completion, the municipal government of Capas will be responsible for its operations and maintenance. The initiative forms part of BCDA’s commitment to help build smart, inclusive, and resilient communities through meaningful intergovernmental collaboration. “This project strengthens our shared goal of making essential services more accessible to Filipinos. With the Capas municipal government funding the facility and BCDA providing the land, this health center will be a product of true public sector synergy,” said Engr. Bingcang. The health center will serve as a critical addition to the growing infrastructure in New Clark City, offering expanded medical services to both urban and rural populations in Tarlac. New Clark City currently offers healthcare services through the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) Sports Medicine and Wellness Center. This facility provides basic medical and dental services and has future plans to expand into a 200-bed hospital. This initiative is in line with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (UN SDG) 3: Good Health and Well-being, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. It also supports SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities by contributing to inclusive and resilient urban development through accessible health infrastructure.    

By Ruben A. Veloria   IBA, Zambales – The Provincial Engineering Office here belies reports on Wednesday that dredging has caused the damage of many establishments in coastal towns here, saying instead the structures were built in declared non-habitable areas. Zambales Provincial Engineer Domingo Mariano said alarming violations committed by resort owners triggering grave risks to the public, including visiting beach goers, in the towns of San Felipe and San Narciso. This is after an inspection team headed by Mariano was conducted after some resort owners raised the alarm among the public regarding the deterioration of their properties built along the seashore and blamed the dredging operations in the province. However, the survey of the area the ZPEO discovered that almost all of resort facilities were illegally constructed along the seashore of the said towns which is officially classified as “Public Land” by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and carries explicit “Non- Habitable” warnings due to extreme danger from wave action and soil instability. Engr. Mariano said that the structures are violating the national environmental standards and safety regulations in coastal construction projects, spotlighting the grave risks of unpermitted development along the province’s fragile shoreline, which is why the government declared them as high-risk zones. Meanwhile, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) stated that dredging operations are not responsible for the severe coastal erosion affecting resorts in Barangay Liwliwa, San Felipe, Zambales. MGB Region III Regional Director Noel Lacadin explained, “There was coastal erosion before dredging began. Therefore, based on situational analysis, dredging is not the problem here.” The MGB emphasized the significant geological impact of the 1991 Mount Pinatubo eruption on the Zambales coastline. Lacadin said, “When Pinatubo erupted, it expelled billions of cubic meters of volcanic material which either covered the volcano’s foot slopes or flowed into the sea through rivers.” After decades of lahar flows, the current shoreline was moved one kilometer toward the sea from its pre-eruption position. “This means the coastline around San Felipe and San Narciso has advanced by at least kilometer compared to the 1977 shoreline, therefore those land built on unclassified public land formed by natural accretion or deposition of sand and sediment is accretionary, meaning it has no title,” said Lacadin. Lacadin warned that structures should not have been built along the shoreline in the first place. Meanwhile, San Felipe Mayor Reinhard Jeresano defended the dredging activities in the town, saying dredging is essential to mitigate flooding in the municipality, exacerbated by heavy siltation in their river. “The town’s problem is constant flooding. If you go upstream, the riverbed is 20 to 30 meters higher than the surrounding land. All the water from the mountains flows through here first before reaching the sea,” Jeresano said.      

The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), in partnership with its public and private sector partners, is planning to expand the road interchange connecting Luisita Access Road in Tarlac City to the 94-kilometer Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), in an effort to decongest traffic, improve regional mobility, and unlock new investment and employment opportunities in the region. During a joint site inspection on 04 July 2025, BCDA President and CEO Engr. Joshua M. Bingcang, Tarlac Governor Christian Tell A. Yap, Tarlac Vice Governor Lita Aquino and other key stakeholders assessed the proposed construction site for additional entry and exit ramps that will complete the SCTEX Luisita interchange’s connectivity, and provide vital access points  for motorists coming to and from the north. Currently, the interchange only provides passage for motorists driving to and from the south. “The Luisita Interchange Expansion is a vital step toward unlocking Tarlac’s full economic potential. By improving regional mobility and access to key industrial zones and new townships, we are not only easing travel for motorists but also paving the way for greater investments, jobs, and inclusive growth in Central Luzon,” said Engr. Bingcang. The proposed construction of the new Luisita interchange will help ease travel for motorists heading to and from the northern part of Luzon, significantly improving accessibility and connectivity in the region. It will also reduce congestion along the MacArthur Highway and adjacent roads in Tarlac. Expanding the interchange will also provide vital access to industrial hubs and township developments in the province, such as Luisita Industrial Park, Central Techno Park, Cresendo Estates, and TARI Estate. Ultimately, this will boost the competitiveness of Central Luzon as an investment destination, driving more economic activities and unlocking more employment opportunities for local communities. The Luisita Interchange Expansion is a strategic upgrade that strengthens SCTEX’s role as a key corridor in Central Luzon. The project aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s “Build Better More” program and the vision for seamless multimodal transport across Luzon. The project will also contribute to the government’s efforts to support connectivity along the Luzon Economic Corridor, which will help position the region as a strategic manufacturing and electronics hub.      

By Ruben A. Veloria   IBA, Zambales- Zambales Governor Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., on Monday shared the strategic vision of the province to newly elected and reelected officials of the local government, whom he described as leaders and builders of Zambales’ future. In his speech during the Inaugural Session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Gov. Ebdane said, “Today, we look forward to the future of Zambales as leaders and builders of its own destiny with a clear vision for the province.” The governor was addressing the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan headed by Vice-Governor Jacqueline Rose Khonghun as presiding officer, municipal mayors, and other executive officials of the local government units, and senior officers of the province. Gov. Ebdane explained the vision will ignite the resolve, the conviction, and the commitment of the officials in forging a more progressive and a more socially conscious community for Zambaleños. The chief executive further explained the strategic vision, “drawn from three powerful perspectives: hindsight, insight, foresight.” Hindsight, according to Gov. Ebdane, is recognizing the past challenges when the province endured hardships, people suffered series of setbacks and adversities. However, they never faltered, never floundered, never broken. “We became resilient because of conviction. Indeed, it was those tough times that tested our capacity to survive and excel,” Gov. Ebdane said. Insight, Gov. Ebdane continued, is facing the present. “We stopped waiting for change to happen. We became the change we have been wanting to see in our province, we set in motion these strategic directions.” Among motions the governor mentioned were: revitalized revenue generation and mechanisms for economic recovery; established engines of sustainable economic growth; elevated social services and expanded healthcare systems; prioritized infrastructure development and modernization; and cultivated community engagement and broadened public participation. Meanwhile, the Foresight was defined as the future-proof Zambales, where true leadership demands foresight, not reaction, ensuring that the province does not lag behind, but lead ahead. Thus, the governor implored the support of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan on five transformative pillars, each demanding legislative alignment, innovative policy-making, and collaborative governance, to drive local economic development. These pillars include health equity policies and timely appropriations for healthcare delivery services; revenue enhancing measures while protecting and encouraging investment; asset utilization frameworks that encourage local enterprise and industrial growth; inclusive education and livelihood opportunities to protect marginalized sector, and infrastructure modernization and capacity building for civil servants. “Today, the road ahead is not without its challenges, but it is rich in promise. Through unity, we shall deliver on those promises,” said Gov. Ebdane.          

By Ruben A. Veloria   SUBIC BAY FREEPORT- The Bureau of Customs– Port of Subic, in joint operation with Department of Agriculture (DA), and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), on Tuesday (July 8) conducted inspection of ten 40-footer containers flagged under Alert Orders issued by the DA. The inspection was led by Port of Subic District Collector Noel C. Estanislao, in partnership with DA Sec. Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., and SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño, in line with the decisive move of the government against agricultural smuggling. The shipments which were declared as “chicken lollipops” or “chicken poppers” were reported to be part of the 31 shipments currently held under customs custody, pending physical examination and inventory due to suspected misdeclaration. During actual inspection, it was confirmed that the containers were packed with of agricultural commodities from China, including carrots, white onions, and frozen mackerel, estimated to be worth more than ₱100 million. However, officials believe that the value may reach ₱300 million when sold in the market. The deliberate misdeclaration is viewed as a blatant attempt to evade regulatory procedures and poses serious threats to public health, food safety, and the nation’s agricultural sector. The BoC– Port of Subic will issue Warrants of Seizure and Detention (WSD) against the shipments for possible violations of the various laws on importation of agricultural products, misdeclaration and tariff laws. Collector Estanislao reaffirmed the Port’s commitment to strict enforcement of customs laws saying, “We will not tolerate any form of smuggling that undermines our agricultural sector and puts consumers at risk. The Port of Subic remains resolute in upholding the law and protecting our borders.” For his part, Agriculture Sec. Laurel emphasized the expanded accountability under the newly enacted law, stating, “Under the new Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Law, we can now pursue not just consignees, but also customs brokers, transporters, sellers, and buyers. Smuggling is no longer a victimless crime—we are going after the entire supply chain.” Meanwhile, this high-level inspection underscores the strong and unified collaboration between BOC, DA, and SBMA in support of the President’s directive to curb smuggling and safeguard national food security. Commissioner of Customs Ariel F. Nepomuceno, through Collector Estanislao, also expressed full support for intensified border protection and legal action against agricultural smuggling. Further examinations of the remaining containers are underway. The Bureau of Customs assures the public that all violators will be dealt with accordingly, and that enforcement will continue without fear or favor.