Clark Freeport—Workers in manufacturing industries within the freeport zone here will be housed in areas accessible to Clark to ensure continuity of factory operations and avoid eventual shutdown due to health crisis and work stoppage, officials said.
“We are exploring possibilities on the proposals of big manufacturing industries to look for ‘bubble’ housing near Clark to ensure continuity of operations and preserve jobs for thousands of workers,” said Clark Development Corp. President and CEO Noel Manankil.
Manankil met Wednesday with Westchester Realty and Development Corp. and Home Development Mutual Fund or Pag-IBIG Fund top executives at the Xevera village in Mabalacat City.
He said the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) lockdown extremely affected the manufacturing industries at Clark due to work stoppages.
“We’ve seen this problem during the ECQ. Manufacturing industries have been allowed to operate provided they have to house their employees to avoid being contracted with coronavirus. That made a lot of sense to our locators in Clark,” said Manankil.
Xevera Mabalacat City is being eyed as potential housing for Clark workers considering its proximity and accessibility to the freeport.
“Xevera Mabalacat and Clark is separated by a perimeter fence,” said Westchester Realty Chairman Rod Valencia, adding that thousands of housing units are available and ready for occupancy at Xevera.
At least two Korean-owned industries, Manankil said, have requested for “bubble” housing to accommodate their workers to guarantee their health.
“In this way they will be and healthy. These companies are very much concerned with the continuity of their operations,” said Manankil, adding that similar proposals for workers housing from other industries in the manufacturing sector are being studied by CDC.
Clark has more than 1,200 locators with more than 80,000 workers, most of which are into manufacturing.
Valencia found Xevera Mabalacat as an ideal housing area for Clark workers, citing its affordability.
“Interested buyer has to pay an initial P58,000 for a unit ready for occupancy or after the loan with the Pag-IBIG Fund is approved. Very critical is affordability, our cost is very low. One unit costs only P1.1 million, down payment is 5 percent of the housing unit cost,” Valencia told reporters.
Valencia said a total of 5,000 housing units are available at the Xevera Mabalacat to cover part of the housing requirement for Clark workers. “The place and prices are very attractive,” he said.
Adapting a township approach, Valencia said Xevera-Mabalacat is complete with all amenities and other essential facilities such as health, education, sports and recreations, shopping center and church.
“Everything is here. You live, work and play and pray here,” Valencia said.
Returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) residing in Xevera Mabalacat who have lost their jobs abroad have all the opportunity to find a new job at Clark, Manankil said.