Capas, Tarlac—A one-hectare lot adjacent to New Clark City (Sports City) would be developed into a Christmas Village, an added attraction during night time for local and foreign tourists who will be watching the actions during the 20-day South East Asian Games, Capas Mayor Reynaldo Catacutan told reporters Monday.
“Were going to build a Christmas Village where we can showcase our ‘Belenismo’ winners, lanterns made by locals and other attractions during night time, so the athletes that come from other areas can see these at night. Sports in the morning, the Christmas Village in the evening,” said Catacutan.
Belenismo is a yearly pre-Christmas competition of different local government units and other government agencies in Tarlac, where participants make a life-size “Belen” or manger displayed in strategic locations of each town.
Catacutan said Capas is ready in terms of road networks and other businesses vital for the opening of the much-awaited event come Dec. 1. He said the local government is ready to accept the sports facility once it will be turned over by the Bases Conversion Development Authority on Oct. 15.
“Capas is very much ready in hosting SEA games comes December 1. All roads leading to the New Clark City also known as the Sports CIty of the Philippines have been improved and widened in preparation for the big event,” said Catacutan.
He said the Capas exit toll gate of the Subic-Clark Tarlac Expressway is being rushed to beat the Dec. 1 opening of the SEA Games.
He said structures being built at the NCC that are near completion includes the stadium, aquatic center, government administration building, athletes dormitory and other vital infrastructures including theme park.
Preparing for the influx of millions of visitors, Catacutan said he already met with various sectors including businesses and the law enforcement to ensure the safety of guests and supervising the smooth flow of vehicles coming in and out of the NCC.
“Aside from athletes from different countries in Southeast Asia, visitors from Luzon areas including Central and North will surely visit Capas to witness the SEA games opening and other attractions in Tarlac,” he stressed.
Commercial centers will be opening inside the NCC compound complete with coffee shops, burger chains, other restaurants and souvenir shops that will cater not only for athletes but also for other people coming here to watch the sports competition, said Catacutan.
The provincial government of Tarlac through the Department of Trade and Industry will also open a “One Town One Product” stalls where visitors “can find the best produce of our people here,” the mayor said.
He said Governor-elect Dennis Pineda is inviting Pampanga entrepreneurs to open their stalls where they showcase their top quality products.
“DTI will also open pasalubong centers offering novelty items and best foods for visitors,” Catacutan explained.
The NCC will surely serve as a prime mover of Capas town in terms of economic upliftment of the people of this municipality.