To explore potential areas for investment and growth opportunities in Central Luzon, over 40 Filipino investors and entrepreneurs based in Hawaii, USA, toured New Clark City and Clark Freeport Zone on Tuesday, October 25. The Clark tour was organized as part of the Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii’s (FCCH) 30th Goodwill and Trade Mission to the Philippines, led by Philippine Consul General to Hawaii Emil Fernandez and Vice Consul Jomar Sadie. The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), together with the Clark Development Corp. (CDC) and Subic-Clark Alliance Development Council (SCADC) hosted the site visit. With a focus on the world-class facilities and sustainable features of Clark, this leg of the trade mission was aimed at positioning Clark and Central Luzon as a prime investment destination for the Filipino business community in Hawaii.  BCDA President and Chief Executive Officer Aileen R. Zosa urged the contingent to consider investing in New Clark City as they pursue avenues of growth in the Philippines.  “We encourage you to take a look at New Clark City, which is envisioned to be the country’s next smart, sustainable and green metropolis. Partner with us and be a part of this city’s growth story,”  Zosa said.  Rynah Ventura, CDC vice president for Business Development and Business Enhancement, also sought FCCH’s support in generating more interest in Clark.  “This trade mission is an important initiative that will allow our industry leaders to explore the various investment opportunities in Clark and the Philippines. We fervently hope that this will also stimulate more interest, meaningful collaboration, and stronger ties with our business sectors from across the globe,” Ventura said.  Established in 1954, FCCH aims to empower the Filipino business community in Hawaii by fostering trade and investment opportunities. Filipinos currently make up one of the largest minority groups in Hawaii. FCCH conducted its first Goodwill and Trade Mission to the Philippines in 1963, with the purpose of improving the relationship between Hawaii and the Philippines. Through this trade mission, FCCH helps its members strengthen business ties in the Philippines, and with that, promoting the growth and prosperity of Filipinos based in Hawaii.

CAPAS, TARLAC. Philippines Football League (PFL) defending champion United City Football Club (UCFC) is set to hold football matches at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium in the coming months, bringing excitement to football fans in Central Luzon. UCFC will be battling against the Azkals Development Team on October 22 at this world-class facility, making it the first football game to be held in New Clark City since it was built in 2019. This will be followed by another match against Stallion Laguna FC on November 5. Through these matches, UCFC seeks to show its commitment to raise Central Luzon’s banner in the football scene. “To represent Central Luzon and bring football to the local community is a major step in the development of professional football in the country. Football is all about belonging, therefore our matches need to be played within the community we are representing, which is Clark in Central Luzon,” UCFC President Eric Gottschalk said. Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) President and Chief Executive Officer Aileen R. Zosa gave her warm welcome to UCFC, and extended BCDA’s commitment to give the best football experience to the teams playing in New Clark City and their fans. “World-class sports facilities, safe environment, and stunning views–New Clark City can offer all of these and more. We are excited that UCFC chose New Clark City Athletics Stadium as the venue for its matches, and we hope to bring pride to players who will be coming to play here,” Zosa said. Tickets for the matches are available on the UCFC website at www.unitedcityfootballclub.com. UCFC joined the PFL as one of the founding teams of the professional league in 2017. Since then, the team has bagged the national championships four times–in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. This PFL Season, which started in August 2022 and will run until May 2023, UCFC is competing against six other teams to bring home the championship trophy and qualify for the 2023-2024 AFC Champions League Group Stage in August. UCFC is expected to hold in New Clark City two more matches before the end of the year and at least six more until April 2023. Certified by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), the New Clark City Athletics Stadium has a 20,000-seating capacity with a nine-lane 400-meter track and field, and another four-lane warm-up track. It was nominated as among the world’s best stadiums in the Stadium of the Year Awards in 2020. The following year, the facility received the Highly Commended recognition from the World Architecture Festival (WAF) in the Completed Buildings – Sport Category, and was also shortlisted for the Engineering Prize of the same competition.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) on Friday, December 18, to develop an inclusive agribusiness hub in New Clark City. New Clark City will be the first site of DA’s “Agro-industrial Business Corridors” (ABC) to be established across different regions to attract more investments in the agriculture sector. The 50-hectare ABC in New Clark City seeks to introduce innovative agricultural technology to farmers, and to provide them with access to quality seeds. The first phase of the project will involve putting up the first National Seed Technology Park (NSTP). “Alam niyo ang kahalagahan ng buto: it represents life itself because it sustains the life of a crop. Itong araw na ito ay mahalaga because we are starting to realize the vision for putting up the future of agriculture that we want to have,” Secretary Dar said. “We want to work out what are the component strategies that will make it possible for this country, really being an agriculture country, to unleash its potential as a major pillar of the economy.” The MOA was signed by Agriculture Secretary William Dar and BCDA President and CEO Vince Dizon at the DA office in Quezon City. Also present during the signing ceremony were DA Undersecretary for Agro-industrialization and Fisheries Cheryl Marie Natividad Caballero and OIC Regional Executive Director Crispulo Bautista, Jr., and BCDA Executive Vice President Aileen Zosa and Vice President for Business Development Arrey Perez. “The Agro-Industrial Business Corridor is critical not just for Clark but for the entire country because agricultural sustainability is really the cornerstone not just of this government but of the entire country and of governments to come,” Dizon said. Dizon also highlighted infrastructure investments in the region and New Clark City’s resiliency, making the new metropolis a strategic location for the ABC. “Kinakailangan lagi tayong handa to face the many challenges—especially unknown and unpredicted challenges—that we may have in the future and this pandemic really highlighted how important this is,” he said. The DA will start the development of the agribusiness hub with a seven-hectare land where the NSTP will be built. The NSTP, which will include a seed laboratory and mini-seed production farms, will allow the development of all types of seed varieties to ensure access to high-yielding seeds. The other components of the first phase of development include incubation hubs, a Project Management Office, and other institutional developments of the DA. The New Clark City agribusiness hub is also seen to complement the planned Clark Fresh Food Market in the Clark Civil Aviation Complex, which aims to integrate post-harvest facilities and target niche markets for organic produce, halal-certified goods, and premium quality food products.

The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) are planning to put up an Agro-Industrial Hub in New Clark City aimed to support farming communities, and strengthen food security in Luzon. On July 1, Secretary William Dar sent a contingent from the DA headed by Undersecretary Cheryl Marie Caballero to inspect an initial 30-hectare site in New Clark City allocated by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA). Also present was BCDA Vice President for Business Development Arrey Perez. According to the DA, the project complements the agency’s rebooting strategy amidst the pandemic through the development of Agro-industrial Business Corridors (ABCs) for food security and livelihood.Caballero noted that New Clark City has a “strategic” location and is easily accessible from both North and South Luzon. The New Clark City Agro-Industrial Hub seeks to integrate small-scale farmers, and provide access to production resources such as technology, capital, and value-enhancing facilities. BCDA President and CEO Vince Dizon said the project is part of the government’s efforts to provide assistance to farmers and entrepreneurs, create more jobs, and spread development in the countryside. “This hub will not only enhance the productivity of our farmers, but will also boost economic activity in the region. Improved connectivity infrastructure and the other planned developments in New Clark City make it the best location for this project, and we plan to have this agro-industrial hub started by next year,” Dizon said. The project will house agri-business hubs and multi-purpose facilities that will be key to managing and integrating the food supply chain, as well as introducing innovative agricultural technology to farmers. First to be put up will be the National Seed Technology Park (NSTP). The New Clark City Agro-Industrial Hub will also complement the planned Clark Fresh Food Market in the Clark Civil Aviation Complex, which aims to integrate post-harvest facilities and target niche markets for organic produce, halal-certified goods, and premium quality food products.