CLARK FREEPORT ZONE, Feb. 23 (PIA) -- Clark Freeport Zone is envisioned to be a modern sustainable aerotropolis or an "airport city".

Clark Development Corporation (CDC) Vice President for Administration and Finance Mariza Mandocdoc shared that they are geared towards making Clark as the tourism destination of the Asia-Pacific Region.

"If you will look at the vision for Clark, we are saying that we want CDC to be a city with an airport because we have to capitalize on the Clark International Airport. That is what we want it to be. To aim for that goal to be realized is the very significant role we foresee ourselves to be now," she said.

Airport cities, she said, are seen to be the powerhouses of urban economic growth and centers of business locations.

In addition, Clark will be the engine to fuel Central Luzon to be the center of Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions with the hotels and convention centers present in the zone.

"Tourism in Clark is very natural because this is a very beautiful place. It is a natural place for tourism. These meeting halls are open for visitors who want to do their conferences outside their offices," she stated.

The state-owned firm is completing an environment that would support conferences including an international convention center.

Moreover, Mandodoc emphasized that Clark Freeport Zone opts to be 60 percent buildings, and 40 percent open area.

"In our development activities, we always aim to preserve the beauty and restfulness of the place. We want people to fall in love when they look at the trees, when they look at the grasses, and the hills," she explained.

The official pointed out that Clark, not being a walled city by having an open space, should be marked as part of tourism. As such, CDC is also hinged to make Clark Freeport Zone as a bike city.

"We have made road lanes for bikers. We also established routes for them, may they be seasoned bikers or starter bikers," she furthered.

The corporation is also set to put up a zoo, and other activities for entertainment. She also mentioned that CDC Parade Grounds turned to be a visitors' attraction amid the pandemic.

"The Parade Grounds unexpectedly attracted many visitors maybe because they feel that they are safe with the open space. We put up a food bazaar and lights in the park. We ensure that they wear face masks and face shields, and observe physical distancing. We understand that people want leisure but it takes some discipline on our end to ensure everybody gets to enjoy the place responsibly and that they obey the protocols," she disclosed.

She added that marshalls are assigned to patrol the grounds to ensure that standard health measures are adopted.

Lastly, Mandocdoc said that the CDC's core is to make Clark as a servant of the people.

"The mentality we wish to bring to all our employees is that we are servants here. We are not regulators or bosses, we are enablers. We help you comply with the law; we will be your partners. We will do what we can to ensure that you get your business successful. We will show you that the government is at work," she concluded. (CLJD/JLDC-PIA 3)