Clark Freeport—The locators belonging to the tourism and hospitality industry of the Clark Development Corporation (CDC), despite being one of the sectors most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, have managed to maintain an outstanding performance last year.
This was reflected in the state-owned firm’s Annual Report 2020, gaining a total of P6,746,062 revenues from CDC managed facilities and advertising spaces.
Aside from revenues, CDC’s Tourism Promotions Division (TPD) also recorded a total of 1,247,862 visitor arrivals in Clark last year, based on TPD’s accomplishment report for the year 2020.
CDC obtained an overall total of 79,755 visitor points from January to December 2020, exceeding the target of 75,000 visitor points – the performance target set by the Governance Commission for GOCCs (GCG).
The figures were extracted from the number of CDC-initiated and assisted projects, including events held at the Clark Museum as well as various open spaces here.
Special events were also conducted in this Freeport, bringing a total of 70,056 visitors who attended 97 events in Clark last year.
These accomplishments have gained confidence in CDC’s vision to make Clark as a MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) tourism destination in the Asia-Pacific region.
To prove this, a total of 4,351 participants in 177 MICE events have been recorded as of January 14, 2021.
Meanwhile, Clark’s accommodation facilities did not only contribute to supporting tourism in this Freeport. More importantly, it played a key role in assisting returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in our country.
Last year, some 78,780 repatriates were also assisted by providing them accommodation which posted 100% hotel occupancy in Clark.
In another development, the CDC recently donated various medical supplies and assorted grocery items to the Armed Forces of the Philippines – Northern Luzon Command (AFP-NOLCOM) at Camp Servillano Aquino in San Miguel, Tarlac.
CDC President and CEO Manuel R. Gaerlan turned over the donations to NOLCOM chief Lieutenant General Arnulfo Burgos and Col. Rodney Intal.
The donated materials will be distributed to the members of the AFP NOLCOM to help ensure their protection while serving in the front lines.
In a statement, CDC said that this initiative aims to strengthen the partnership between CDC and NOLCOM.
For his part, Gaerlan cited the commitment of the members and officials of NOLCOM in serving the country.
“This is just a small token of appreciation for the dedication and sacrifices of the soldiers,” he said.
Since the onset of the pandemic, the state-owned firm has been active in helping various communities and groups to curb the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.
Early this year, CDC also donated various personal protective equipment and collapsible tents to the Police Regional Office 3 (PRO 3).
