THE Clark Freeport Zone said it added 54 new locators in the first seven months of 2019, generating 5,295 new jobs.

Clark Development Corp. (CDC) Vice President for Business Enhancement and Business Development Group Evangeline G. Tejada said locators in the economic zone now total 1,092.

“The increase in numbers of locators and workers in Clark can be attributed to the sound economic policy (in place) since 2016,” CDC said in a statement.

Aside from its fiscal and non-fiscal incentives, several infrastructure projects are being completed in Clark Freeport Zone, which has attracted businesses, and property developers fleeing the congestion in Metro Manila.

These include the new terminal for Clark International Airport, due to be completed in 2020; the Subic-Clark Railway project, to be completed by 2022; and the 147-kilometer North-South Commuter Railway which will have three segments, a 56-kilometer line from Calamba to Tutuban, a 38-kilometer line from Tutuban to Malolos, and a 53-kilometer line from Malolos to Clark. It will be finished by 2023.

The top employers in the zone are industrial firms, followed by the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and estate developers. The development of the National Government Administrative Center is also expected to expand the number of public jobs in Clark.

Phase 1A of New Clark City, the National Government Administrative Center, is 90% complete after more than a year of construction. The center houses sports facilities which will be used for the 30th Southeast Asian Games in November, including a 20,000-capacity stadium; 2,000-seater aquatics center; and an Athletes’ Village. — Vincent Mariel P. Galang

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