11 March 2014 – Nine Ambassadors and 30 members of the diplomatic corps of Asia Pacific countries participated in the Economic and Cultural Familiarization Tour of Central Luzon on March 8.

Participants viewed the world-class home décor and furniture of Betis Crafts Factory in Guagua, Pampanga. Betis Crafts started as a small family business producing woodcrafts and is now a producer and exporter of high-end furniture.

The Asia Pacific diplomats were briefed by the heads of Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), Clark Development Corporation (CDC), Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA), Subic-Clark Alliance for Development (SCAD), and Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) on the economic developments and promising investment opportunities for the Asia Pacific countries.

To get a first-hand look at major developments in Clark, Pampanga, the diplomats toured the Clark International Airport, named the “3rd Best Airport Zone” in 2012 by UK-based fDi Magazine. Officials highlighted the airport’s amenities, most significantly its expansive land area, several times the size of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila, as well as proposed developments to further improve its facilities.

The diplomats also visited Global Gateway Logistics City (GGLC), the country’s first aerotropolis, now emerging as a modern state-of-the-art Logistics and Business Center of Excellence. The participants visited the construction of The Medical City (TMC), a first class 150-bed tertiary hospital facility which will be operational by late 2014. At the rooftop of TMC, Peregrine Development International Inc. gave diplomats a preview of its development plans for GGLC.

The tour ended with a festive experience of Philippine culture in Nayong Pilipino highlighted by a performance of Philippine dances by the Nayong Pilipino Bayanihan dancers and an opportunity to purchase the best of art and cultural products from Pampanga. Atty. Apolonio Anota, Executive Director of Nayong Pilipino, and Hon. Edgardo Pamintuan, Mayor of Angeles City, addressed the group on the cultural highlights of the Philippines in general and Angeles City and Clark in particular. Participants also gamely joined in a Tinikling dance to close the program. 

Rising from the devastation of the 1991 Mount Pinatubo eruption, the Clark Freeport Zone is now an economically vibrant destination for tourism and investments, a testament to the Filipino people’s resilience and hard work. Asia Pacific countries were invited to take part in Central Luzon’s fast growing development. 

An initiative of the Office of Asian and Pacific Affairs of the Department of Foreign Affairs, this event was made possible through the support of BCDA, CDC, SBMA, CIAC, the Local Government of Angeles City, SCAD, GGLC, the Central Luzon regional offices of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Tourism (DOT), and the Nayong Filipino at Clark Expo. END