MANILA - Hot air balloons are set to dot the Pampanga landscape on the second week of February, giving families and couples one more option to consider for their Valentine's Day plans.

The 19th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta, otherwise called "The Weekend Where Everything Flies," will be held from February 12 to 15 at the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga.

Aside from the giant hot air balloons, the festival will also feature other activities such as paragliding, skydiving, an air acrobatics show, a series of concerts, and a "fly market" -- a gathering of food concessionaires and local merchandisers.

Tickets are P300 per head, according to the event's official website. There will also be VIP tickets, which are P6,000 each, that entitles the bearer access to an an exclusive enclave within the balloon launch area.

Last year, over 30 hot air balloons from 15 countries graced the festival.

According to the organizers, the four-day festival started off as a passion project that has now evolved into the longest-running sports aviation event in Asia.

The event's longtime objective, as written on the website, is to instill discipline in participating young pilots so they can develop into safe aviators, as well as to impart a spirit volunteerism and cooperation to the whole community.

Reference: abs-cbnnews.com

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) is supporting the construction of a P7.2 billion low-cost carrier terminal in Clark, Pampanga.

Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) president and CEO Emigdio Tanjuatco III assured the development of the Clark International Airport is on track.

"We fully support the development of Clark Airport. In fact, the DOTC had already infused an initial P 1.2 billion for the construction of our new Low Cost Carrier Passenger Terminal Building... The fact that this project is up for bidding this year is proof that government is serious in developing Clark Airport," Tanjuatco said in a statement.

He said there is no competition between Clark airport and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, since Clark caters to passengers living in northern Luzon, while NAIA services the southern region.

Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya noted the new LCC passenger terminal is designed to accommodate at least 15 million passengers annually.

"We tapped the services of Aeroports de Paris for the feasibility study not only of the terminal but also other facilities at the aviation complex," Abaya said.

While the proposed Sangley International Airport is still under study, the DOTC chief said the government is focused on the aggressive development of both NAIA and Clark.

Earlier, Tanjuatco said he is working to convince Emirates and AirAsia Zest to return to Clark airport, as well as other airlines.

At present, air carriers such as Dragonair, Asiana Airlines, Cebu Pacific, Seair, Qatar Airways, Tigerair, Jin Air, and Air Asia Berhad operate from Clark. 


Reference:  abs-cbnnews.com

CLARK FREEPORT -- A top official of the Global Gateway Development Corporation (GGDC) revealed on Wednesday that The Medical City Clark (TMCC) will be completed and will open on December 8 this year.

GGDC president and chief executive officer Mark Williams said, "The Medical City is actually going forward, despite of what you're hearing in the press. It will open as scheduled."

The main contractor of the hospital made a commitment to finish the project on time.

"Last week, the contractor which doing the hospital, SC Megaworld reiterated their commitment to us directly that this hospital will be finished on time," Williams said.

Williams issued the statement during Wednesday's forum "Talk Widus" organized by the Pampanga Press Club.

"We are accelerating the development and putting on the finishing touches in TMCC and we are committed to December 2014 as the opening date to the public," Williams said.

The GGDC official said they are asserting operational control over the 177-hectare Global Gateway Logistics City (GGLC).

"As of last Thursday, we are on the site. We have 30 to 45 hectares fully rehabilitated," Williams said.

Police reportedly ordered Herstal Security, the security firm hired by Peregrine Development International Incorporated (Peregrine), to allow GGDC officers and contractors to have access to the project site and continue works on the project.

This, after the Court of Appeals issued a 60-day temporary restraining order against Peregrine and a directive by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) in Angeles City.

"The TRO issued by the CA effectively affirmed GGDC's rights as owner of the GGLC project to hire contractors of its choice," Williams said.

GGDC was originally founded by The Port Fund, a private equity fund managed by the KGL Investment Company composed mostly of investors from government entities in Kuwait and other GCC countries.

GGDC has invested over $100 million in GGLC, which is considered a major development project conceived by the Philippine government and designed by best Filipino architects and urban planners, according to Williams.

Its completion will result to more than 300,000 jobs and annual payroll of $600 million, he said.

“Very soon, we are starting the construction of five buildings adjacent to TMCC with about 10 to 12 floors each. We have earmarked another $150 million for these buildings and we envision finishing them by end of 2015,” Williams said.

Williams also reiterated their company’s commitment to create an investment area and provide employment to thousands of Filipinos.

“We are here to create jobs and not to engage in court battles,” Williams said.

GGDC forged an agreement with the Clark International Airport Corporation for a 50-year lease agreement.

Reference : sunstar.com.ph

CLARK FREEPORT -- The construction of a P2.5 billion high-end water theme park, which is expected to spur development in localities around the Freeport, has started.

Presidential Political Adviser Ronald Llamas, Clark Development Corporation (CDC) President Arthur P. Tugade, Congressman Joseller "Yeng" Guiao and Mabalacat Mayor Marino "Boking" Morales led the groundbreaking ceremony on Saturday.

Former Angeles City Councilor Ireneo "Bong" Alvaro, president of the BB International Leisure and Resort Development Corporation, said the world-class water theme park (first phase of the project) will be completed in three years.

PAMPANGA. Dr. Irineo G. Alvaro (L), president of BB International (BBI) Leisure and Resort Development Corp., BBI owners Jack Yang and Tony Huang, National Security Adviser Sec. Ronald Llamas, 1st District Rep. Joseller ‘Yeng’ Guiao, Mabalacat City Mayor Marino Morales, CDC president Arturo Tugade, Paul Aquino, Mayor Feliciano, Angeles City chief of staff Alex Cauguiran, CDC directors Francis Elum, Manolo Feliciano and CIAC VP Rey Catacutan lead the groundbreaking of a soon-to-rise P2.5-billion water theme park at the Clark Freeport Zone. (Chris Navarro)
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BB International, proponent of the project, is owned by a Taiwanese group led by Jack Yam and Tony Wang.

During his speech, Alvaro made an assurance that the firm will employ Aetas and locals based on their skills.

He also vowed to implement livelihood programs that will help tribal communities at Sitio Haduan (near the Clark Gate 14) in Mabalacat City and other parts of the Clark subzone.

Tugade vowed support to the project and at the same time lauded BB International executives for considering hiring Aetas.

He said the world-class tourism estate will compete with that of Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia.

According to Tugade, the contract forged by the company and CDC stipulates that Aetas and persons with disabilities should be hired in the leisure and resort facility.

“It is embedded in the contract na dalawang klase ang iha-hire nila, mga katutubo at PWDs,” Tugade said.

Tugade added that he instructed the CDC community services department to provide a hollow block-making machine for the Bamban Aeta Tribal Association (Bata) and Mabalacat Tribal Association (Mata).

Aetas will be trained on making blocks, according to him.

Tugade said he and Alvaro agreed that the first 100 blocks which will be used in the water theme park will be bought from the Mata and Bata.

“This is to show the commitment of the company to the welfare and employment wishes of the katutubo,” he said.

Morales thanked the BB International, saying the project will enhance development and growth in Mabalacat City which covers Clark Freeport.

The mayor assured that the local government will fully support the project.

Reference:  sunstar.com.ph