Clark is declared a Safe Haven for returning OFWs

JOINT STATEMENT BY THE BASES CONVERSION AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
(BCDA), CLARK DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (CDC), CLARK INTERNATIONAL
AIRPORT CORPORATION (CIAC), AND THE LUZON INTERNATIONAL PREMIER AIRPORT
DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (LIPAD)

Clark is declared a Safe Haven for returning OFWs

More than 200 passengers, most of them recently arrived overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), have
been stranded for days in Clark International Airport due to the community quarantines imposed in
their respective provincial destinations.

To ensure the welfare and safety of these passengers amid the COVID-19 threat, BCDA, CDC,
CIAC and LIPAD have coordinated efforts to provide them with the necessary assistance, as the
entirety of Luzon observes the Enhanced Community Quarantine.

Clark is a safe haven for returning OFWs.

Starting Thursday, March 19, these passengers will be provided with free food and lodging. They
will be housed in various locations in Clark.

They will be taken good care of while in Clark, until the imposed lockdowns in their destinations
are lifted.
We would also like to express our gratitude to the DOT, DOTR, DILG, OWWA, DSWD, Pampanga
Provincial Government, Angeles and Mabalacat city governments, Pampanga Red Cross and the
Mabalacat City Tourism Council for working with us in providing assistance to the passengers the
past several days.

The Clark International Airport will remain operational should there be inbound and outbound
international flights. For international outbound flights, only OFWs, balikbayans, and foreign
nationals will be allowed to leave, while inbound international passengers will be subjected to strict
quarantine protocols.

-END-

a group of people with luggage next to a bus a group of people sitting on a bus a group of people standing in a driveway a group of people outside a building

SAFE HAVEN. Passengers stranded at the Clark International Airport, mostly returning OFWs, are given free food and lodging at various locations inside the Clark Freeport Zone to ensure their welfare and safety amid the threat of COVID-19. These passengers have been unable to go home because of the community quarantines imposed in their respective provincial destinations. The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), Clark Development Corporation (CDC), Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC), and the Luzon International Premier Airport Development Corporation (LIPAD) coordinated efforts to provide them with the necessary assistance.

a room with two beds and a wood floor
COMFORTABLE STAY. Passengers who were stranded at the Clark International Airport will be staying for free at various locations in Clark, including the Mansion Hotel. The hotel rooms are equipped with great amenities for their comfortable stay, as they await the lifting of community quarantines imposed in their respective destinations due to the COVID-19 threat.

One of the best: New Clark City stadium nominated for world’s ‘Stadium of the Year’

The New Clark City Athletics Stadium used in the 30th South East Asian Games (SEA Games) is nominated for “Stadium of the Year,” a recognition previously given to the Olympic Stadium in London, England.

Designed by the Budji+Royal Architecture+Design firm and built by MTD Clark, Inc., the 20,000-seater Athletics Stadium in New Clark City is among the top 10 stadiums in the world, and is in the running for the “Jury Award” in the annual Stadium of the Year awards.

The Athletics Stadium is the first sports facility in the Philippines with a track certified as Class 1 by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF). It is part of the New Clark City Phase 1A development of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA).

“To be nominated as one of the top 10 stadiums proves that Filipinos can build a truly world-class facility,” said BCDA President and CEO Vince Dizon. “The sports facilities built in New Clark City are what our athletes deserve and we hope this recognition will further inspire them.”

The annual “Stadium of the Year” Awards is a non-commercial project launched 10 years ago to celebrate the best of stadium architecture.

The recognition was previously given to the Olympic Stadium in London, England, the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and the Matmut Atlantique in Bordeaux, France.

Aside from the Jury vote, the Athletics Stadium may also win the “The Public Award.” The online voting for the said award is open until March 15, 2020 via http://stadiumdb.com/competitions/stadium_of_the_year_2019.
The New Clark City stadium in Capas, Tarlac joins nine other nominees selected by the Jury: the Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah, Qatar; Bankwest Stadium in Sydney, Australia; Datong Sports Center Stadium in China; Japan National Stadium in Tokyo; Puskas Arean in Budapest, Hungary; Stadion Tehelne Pole in Bratislava, Slovakia; Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England; VTB Arena in Moscow, Russia; and Wuhan Five Rings SC Stadium in China.

New Clark City is also home to the 2,000-seater Aquatics Center certified by the International Swimming Federation or FINA.