The parade ground and jogging path inside the Clark Freeport Zone. (Photo from the Facebook page of Clark Development Corp.)
CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga — The Philippine flag at the state-owned Clark Development Corp. (CDC) headquarters here was flown at half-staff on Monday (Aug. 1) as officers and employees paid tribute to former president Fidel V. Ramos, who died on Sunday.
CDC president Manuel Gaerlan, Ramos’ aide-de-camp then, requested a minute of silence and prayers for the late chief executive.
He hailed Ramos for establishing the CDC by signing Executive Order No. 80 in 1993.
The agency oversaw the conversion of Clark from a former United States Air Force base to a Philippine economic hub, a thrust legislated through Republic Act No. 7227, or the Base Conversion and Development Act. Signed by then President Corazon Aquino, Ramos worked hard to make the former base lands become economic growth centers following the closure of Clark and the Subic Naval Base, the pullout of US troops, and Mt. Pinatubo’s eruption—all in 1991.
“[Ramos] will forever be remembered as a lead advocate in promoting economic development in the country,” Gaerlan said.
CDC chair Edgardo Pamintuan said: “We owe FVR for the creation of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority, CDC, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, and Camp John Hay that turned these former American bases into industrial estates and freeport zones. He saw the promise of converting these lands into economic possibilities that provide investments, jobs, and livelihood for many Filipinos.”
In March 2021, CDC officials passed a resolution recognizing the role of FVR in the development and growth of Clark Freeport and its international airport. The resolution recognized FVR as the Father of CDC. INQ