90 structures torn down in Clark for Apec summit

CLARK FREEPORT—Ninety of 93 illegal structures along the Clark Freeport Zone-Angeles City perimeter fence have been demolished in preparation for a beautification project in time for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit here in 2015, said Angeles City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan.

The demolition of the makeshift structures on Don Juico Avenue in Barangays Anunas and Malabanias from June 9 to 11 was coordinated with users of the lots, including transport groups and operators of eateries and sari-sari stores, Pamintuan said in a statement.

Arthur Tugade, president of the state-owned Clark Development Corp., said the clearing of illegal structures was part of security preparations, as Clark will be home to 1,700 finance and tourism ministers from 21 countries over the course of the first leg of the two-week summit.

The Clark rotunda outside the free port’s main gate is set for public bidding. A sundial garden will be built at Clark’s Bayanihan Park while jeepney terminals near the park will be relocated.

“Political will is important. Some may get angry with all the inconvenience these projects are bringing. But years from now, people will see how beneficial  these are for a fast-growing city,” Pamintuan said.

Tugade said the summit was not about only Clark or Angeles City.

“It is the Republic of the Philippines hosting the Apec 2015 that we are talking about,” he said.  Tonette Orejas, Inquirer Central Luzon