Clark, Subic freepots brace for more Chinese visitors

CLARK FREEPORT — This free port in Pampanga and Subic Bay Freeport in Zambales are taking more steps to handle the influx of Chinese tourists and investors, beginning with the training of their personnel in the Chinese language and culture.

Mandarin lessons were part of the commitment made on Friday when Noel Manankil, Clark Development Corp. president, and Wilma Eisma, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority chair and administrator, signed a memorandum of understanding with Michael Tan, University of the Philippines Diliman chancellor and Confucius Institute chair.

“To support Subic and Clark’s tourism growth, we are pursuing capacity-building initiatives to upgrade the skills of their tourism front liners. This will allow them to effectively communicate with tens of thousands of Chinese tourists visiting Subic and Clark, brought about by the influx of cruise ships now calling on the Port of Subic Bay,” said Lourdes Nepomuceno, director of the Confucius Institute.

Language training

The institute has also done language training for personnel of the Bureau of Immigration and Department of Foreign Affairs.

Mabalacat City Mayor Crisostomo Garbo signed a similar memorandum for a Mandarin language course in Mabalacat City College. —Tonette Orejas