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News &Views at the Base<br />
Official Publication of the <strong>Bases</strong> Conversion and Development Authority Vol XI. No. 1 <strong>Jan</strong>uary - <strong>Feb</strong>ruary <strong>2011</strong><br />
BCDA: Disposition<br />
proceeds from<br />
Metro Manila<br />
camps at P50.8-B<br />
News<br />
Traffic Volume in SCTEX<br />
up by 24% in 2010<br />
BCDA turns over P1.8-B<br />
to National Treasury<br />
Profile<br />
The Veteran:<br />
Director Max Sangil
Cover Story<br />
BCDA: Disposition proce<br />
from Metro Manila<br />
by Roy Victor R. Rosales, BCDA Public Affairs Department<br />
The state-owned <strong>Bases</strong> Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) has generated<br />
Php50.822 billion for the period May 1993 to December 2010 from the disposition of former<br />
Metro Manila camps, primarily Bonifacio Global City, Market! Market!, Serendra, McKinley Hill,<br />
JUSMAG Property in Fort Bonifacio and the Villamor Air Base, among others. Of this amount, Php19.32<br />
billion has been remitted to the National Treasury for the account of the Armed Forces of the <strong>Philippines</strong><br />
(AFP), broken down into Php9.823 billion for the AFP modernization program and Php9.496 billion for<br />
the military replication expenses.<br />
Similarly, remitted to the National Treasury were<br />
Php462.2 million representing the shares of contiguous<br />
municipalities of Taguig, Pateros and Makati as well as<br />
Php7.092 billion in favor of 14 government beneficiary<br />
agencies mandated under R.A. 7227 (the <strong>Bases</strong><br />
Conversion and Development Act), as amended by<br />
R.A. 7917.<br />
These government agencies include the National<br />
Shelter Program that finances mass social housing<br />
project for the underprivileged and homeless citizens<br />
of the country. Other government programs are the<br />
National Health Insurance Program; Higher Education<br />
Development Fund, otherwise known as the Higher<br />
Education Act of 1994 that finances students’<br />
scholarship, faculty development and the improvement<br />
of physical plants of colleges and universities under the<br />
Commission on Higher Education (CHED); science and<br />
technology scholarships for young Filipino scientists and<br />
students in selected countries through the Department<br />
of Science and Technology; the Study Now Pay Later<br />
Program for poor but deserving youths who shall enroll<br />
or are enrolled in science and technology (S&T);<br />
the multi-year program of the prosecution service;<br />
the modernization program of the National Bureau<br />
of Investigation (NBI), the Philippine National Police<br />
(PNP) and improvement of prison facilities; the judicial<br />
reform program; the establishment of preschool and<br />
day-care centers nationwide; the summer program<br />
for the education of students (SPES) in accordance<br />
with Republic Act No. 7323; the construction of Senior<br />
Citizens Centers as provided under Republic Act No.<br />
7876; the emergency and contingent needs of the<br />
areas devastated by the Mount Pinatubo.<br />
The other proceeds in the amount of Php10.675 billion<br />
went to the following: taxes and fees paid to the Bureau<br />
of Internal Revenue and local government units;<br />
housing and relocation expenses of informal occupants<br />
affected by the developments; survey, titling and<br />
2<br />
masterplanning; construction of site development/<br />
utilities projects; and replication expenses of nonmilitary<br />
facilities formerly located in the military camps.<br />
Only Php8.482 billion went to the conversion and<br />
development of former U.S. military bases like Clark,<br />
Poro Point in La Union and Camp John Hay in Baguio<br />
as well as to the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway which<br />
enhances the complementary development of Subic<br />
and Clark. It is worthy to note that the original intent<br />
of the <strong>Bases</strong> Conversion Law was the conversion and<br />
development of these properties and the AFP share in<br />
the disposition proceeds is just one of the fund sources<br />
for the AFP Modernization Program.<br />
The BCDA said that the share of the AFP and other<br />
government agencies are directly remitted to the<br />
National Treasury and, in turn, the Department<br />
of Finance (DOF) and the Department of Budget<br />
and Management (DBM) are responsible for safekeeping,<br />
programming and releasing the respective<br />
appropriations of these government agencies to<br />
finance their programs and projects. After BCDA’s<br />
remittance of the funds to the Treasury, BCDA is no<br />
longer involved in the use and disbursement of these<br />
funds.<br />
The BCDA said it is set to remit to the Treasury an<br />
additional Php1.847 billion for the AFP share, coming<br />
out of the Php4.791 billion additional disposition<br />
revenues in 2010. Based on current projections, some<br />
Php26 billion more are expected from joint venture<br />
transactions already entered into for the development<br />
of Bonifacio properties. This is over and above<br />
the projected revenues from the 45 percent share<br />
being held by BCDA in Fort Bonifacio Development<br />
Corporation (FBDC), the private real estate firm<br />
currently developing the fast-rising Bonifacio Global<br />
City which is controlled by Ayala Land, Inc. (ALI) and<br />
the Campos Group.
eds<br />
camps<br />
at P50.8-B<br />
The Venice Piazza at Mckinley Hill<br />
Bonifacio High Street at Bonifacio Global City<br />
Marriott Hotel Manila at the former Villamor Airbase<br />
in Pasay City<br />
32nd and 5th Avenues inside Bonifacio Global City<br />
3
Happenings<br />
March 18-20, <strong>2011</strong><br />
3-day Zamba Multi-sports Festival<br />
Zambales Province<br />
Zambales Province opens its pristine<br />
waters and powdery magnetite sand<br />
beaches as it hosts the Zamba Multisports<br />
Festival scheduled on March<br />
18-20, <strong>2011</strong>. Almost 600 participants<br />
will enjoy three days of various<br />
competitions such as cycling, open<br />
water swim, ultimate frisbee, sprint<br />
duathlon, and triathlon spiced with<br />
exciting side events like body tattoo<br />
competition, bikini open and beach<br />
party.<br />
source: http://subicbaynews.blogspot.com<br />
credits: Olmin Leyba of The Philippine Star<br />
2-3<br />
In this issue<br />
Cover Story:<br />
BCDA: Disposition proceeds from<br />
Metro Manila camps at P50.8-B<br />
March 27, <strong>2011</strong><br />
Globe Run for Home <strong>2011</strong><br />
Bonifacio Global City<br />
Set to take place at the “Home of<br />
the Passionate Minds,” the Globe Run<br />
for Home <strong>2011</strong> aims to help charities<br />
namely: GK, Haribon Foundation,<br />
Virlanie Foundation and Habitat<br />
for Humanity. The P50 from the<br />
registration fee will go to a charity of<br />
the runner’s choice.<br />
For more information, visit:<br />
http://www.globe-demo.com/run<br />
April 2 and 3, <strong>2011</strong><br />
Best Food Forward: A Benefit Summer<br />
Food Fair<br />
NBC Tent, Bonifacio Global City<br />
“Best Food Forward!,” (BFF) is a grand<br />
food and drink fair to be staged at the<br />
NBC Tent inside Bonifacio Global City.<br />
Scheduled to be launched on April<br />
2 and 3, <strong>2011</strong>, the food fair aims to<br />
showcase a variety of the best cuisine<br />
in the industry. The event also gives<br />
an opportunity for newcomers in the<br />
food business to be seen and savored.<br />
It will be the place where food and<br />
culture will come together to create a<br />
deliciously rare food experience.<br />
For inquiries and more information,<br />
you may also call (63 920) 914-<br />
8175 or (63 917) 794-1984 or email:<br />
bestfoodforward@gmail.com<br />
April 10, <strong>2011</strong><br />
<strong>2011</strong> Baguio 21K. Feel the hill.<br />
Baguio City<br />
5<br />
Traffic volume in SCTEX<br />
up by 20% in 2010<br />
SCTEX puts CL on road<br />
Bird watching in<br />
6<br />
to progress<br />
Camp John Hay<br />
7<br />
8-9<br />
BCDA turns over P1.8-B<br />
to National Treasury<br />
Profile:<br />
The Veteran:<br />
Director Max Sangil<br />
10-11 Achievements<br />
mark 2010 for<br />
CIAC, DMIA<br />
12<br />
14-15<br />
16<br />
Locator Profile<br />
The Manor at<br />
Camp John Hay<br />
Icon:<br />
Subic-Clark-Tarlac<br />
Expressway<br />
http://www.facebook.com/SCTEX and<br />
http://www.facebook.com/pages/SCTEX-<br />
Subic-Clark-Tarlac-Expressway/61716464307<br />
Know more about BCDA. Visit our website at:<br />
www.bcda.gov.ph<br />
Experience the thrill of running uphill in<br />
the <strong>2011</strong> Baguio 21K. Feel the hill. Set<br />
in the highlands of the <strong>Philippines</strong>, this<br />
half marathon run will test your legs<br />
as well as your lungs. Organized by<br />
RenderFarm Productions, this exciting<br />
event will have three race types<br />
which are 5K, 10K and 21K Run.<br />
For 4more information, visit:<br />
http://baguio21k.com<br />
ALOYSIUS R. SANTOS<br />
Chairman<br />
GEN. NARCISO L. ABAYA (RET)<br />
President and CEO<br />
News and Views at the Base is a bi-monthly external publication of the<br />
Public Affairs Department of the <strong>Bases</strong> Conversion and Development Authority.<br />
Editor-in-Chief LEILANI BARLONGAY-MACASAET<br />
Executive Editor ROY VICTOR R. ROSALES / Managing Editor MARICAR SAVELLA-VILLAMIL<br />
Writers/Layout Artist GARRY A. CATIVO / MICHELLE S. SAN JUAN<br />
Photographer AGEM O. ALFAFARAS / Circulation IRAH F. DAVID<br />
Editorial Address: BCDA Corporate Center, 2/F Bonifacio Technology Center<br />
31st Street corner Second Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City <strong>Philippines</strong><br />
Tel.: (632) 816-6666 Fax: (632) 816-1113 E-mail: bcda@bcda.gov.ph<br />
Website: www.bcda.gov.ph
In the News<br />
Traffic volume in SCTEX<br />
up by 24% in 2010<br />
by Roy Victor R. Rosales, BCDA Public Affairs Department<br />
The state-owned <strong>Bases</strong> Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA)—owner and<br />
builder of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX)—said that the number of vehicles<br />
using the toll road in 2010 rose to 8,958,201 or equivalent to a 24.55 percent increase<br />
compared to the 7,192,524 vehicles that used the toll road in 2009.<br />
BCDA-SCTEX Program Manager for Operational<br />
Support Services and Spokesperson Robert Gervacio<br />
said that in terms of toll revenues, the SCTEX generated<br />
P625.6 million from the period <strong>Jan</strong>uary to December<br />
2010 or a 23.59 percent increase from the P506.2 million<br />
toll revenues generated in 2009.<br />
He said that of the 8.95 million vehicles that used the<br />
toll road in 2010, 84.32 percent belonged to the Class 1<br />
vehicles or cars, jeepneys and other vehicles with two<br />
axles and not more than seven feet in height; 4.10<br />
percent belonged to Class 2 vehicles that make up<br />
trucks with two axles and over seven feet high; and<br />
11.58 percent consists of Class 3 vehicles or trucks with<br />
three or more axles and above seven feet high. He<br />
noted that Class 2 and 3 vehicles plying the SCTEX in<br />
2010 increased by 4.25 percentage points to 15.68<br />
percent compared to 11.43 percent in 2009.<br />
Mr. Gervacio said that considering 2010 was only the<br />
third year of commercial operations for the SCTEX,<br />
he expects traffic volume to increase by at least 10<br />
percent in <strong>2011</strong>.<br />
“We expect a moderate traffic volume increase of<br />
some 10 percent for <strong>2011</strong> as more motorists get to the<br />
habit of using the SCTEX owing to the stress-free driving<br />
and travel time saved compared to driving along<br />
the national, municipal and even barangay roads,”<br />
Gervacio said.<br />
In terms of percentage share of traffic volume per<br />
interchange, the Mabalacat Interchange—the<br />
interchange that links to the North Luzon Expressway<br />
(NLEX)—was the busiest with a 32.34 percent traffic<br />
volume followed by the Tipo (Subic) Interchange,<br />
15.35 percent; Tarlac City Interchange, 13.43 percent;<br />
San Miguel (Luisita) Interchange, 10.27 percent,<br />
and Dinalupihan Interchange, 9.72 percent. The<br />
remaining interchanges namely: Concepcion, Clark<br />
North, Dolores, Clark South, Porac, and Floridablanca<br />
registered a combined traffic volume percentage<br />
share of 13.69 percent.<br />
The SCTEX is a 93.77 km. 4-lane divided toll road limited<br />
access highway and considered as the country’s<br />
most scenic expressway showcasing the breathtaking<br />
landscape of Pampanga, Bataan, Zambales and<br />
Tarlac. The toll road features 12 interchanges, 4<br />
major bridges, 42 minor bridges, 54 underpasses, 360<br />
drainage structures, toll road facilities and equipment.<br />
The expressway allows Clark and Subic to forge a<br />
growing partnership by building on each other’s core<br />
strengths. More importantly, it now paves the way for<br />
the synergy of Clark and Subic Bay Freeport Zones into<br />
one big facility resulting in the convergence of landair-and<br />
sea-based transport.<br />
Toll plaza at Porac Interchange<br />
5
In the News<br />
SCTEX puts CL on road<br />
to progress<br />
by the BCDA Public Affairs Department<br />
Central Luzon has been experiencing tremendous growth in tourism and investments, largely owing to<br />
an efficient road network specifically the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) to meet the visitors’<br />
demand for comfortable and speedy travel within the region, as well as to other places of interest in<br />
other parts of mainland Luzon.<br />
The state-owned BCDA, builder and owner of<br />
the SCTEX said that since the SCTEX opened for<br />
commercial operations in 2008, there has been a<br />
steady increase in investments not only in Clark and<br />
Subic but also in the neighboring provinces that<br />
connect to the alignment of the SCTEX.<br />
Citing figures made public by the Clark International<br />
Airport Corp., the BCDA officials said there are about<br />
60,000 Koreans in Clark and Subic at any given time.<br />
Koreans account for the biggest number of foreign<br />
arrivals at the Diosdado Macapagal International<br />
Airport (DMIA) at the Clark Freeport Zone.<br />
“The developments now unfolding in Central Luzon<br />
augur well for the realization of our vision of a strong<br />
economy anchored on high-impact government<br />
infrastructure projects such as the SCTEX which was<br />
built to create a growth engine in the countryside,”<br />
SCTEX Program Manager and Spokesperson Robert<br />
Gervacio said.<br />
He noted that the SCTEX, together with the DMIA in<br />
Clark and the deep water seaport in Subic are the<br />
moving force designed to develop the region into<br />
a globally competitive logistics hub. “We are now<br />
unmistakably moving towards that direction,” he<br />
added.<br />
To cope with the expected 60 percent increase in<br />
passenger traffic, SEAIR is deploying two big-body<br />
114-seater Airbus 319 planes to service the Clark-<br />
Singapore connection.<br />
Last October, South Korea’s budget carrier Jin Air,<br />
had its maiden Incheon-Clark flight. Using a 180-seater<br />
Boeing 737-800, Jin Air now flies to Clark five times a<br />
week. Other air carriers being hosted by Clark are<br />
Asiana Airlines which also serves the Clark-Incheon<br />
route, Tiger Airways which flies daily to Singapore,<br />
and Air Asia which also flies daily to Kuala Lumpur<br />
and Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia.<br />
Metro Manila-bound motorists from Central and<br />
Northern Luzon are also afforded seamless overland<br />
travel courtesy of the linkage between the SCTEX<br />
and the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX).<br />
Likewise, motorists from Manila will find it more<br />
convenient to use the SCTEX on their way to Central<br />
and Northern Luzon especially Pampanga, Bataan,<br />
Subic Bay, Zambales, Pangasinan, Baguio, La Union,<br />
Cabanatuan and Ilocos as they will find it to be the<br />
fastest, most convenient and practical route saving<br />
on time and fuel.<br />
Over the past years, the DMIA<br />
has been attracting more<br />
air carriers, indicating that it<br />
is a viable alternative to the<br />
normally overcrowded Ninoy<br />
Aquino International Airport in<br />
Metro Manila.<br />
Just last Dec. 16, the South<br />
East Asian Airlines (SEAIR)<br />
inaugurated its regular Clark-<br />
Singapore-Clark route at<br />
the DMIA. SEAIR, reputedly<br />
the second oldest airline<br />
in the country next to the<br />
Philippine Airlines, has been<br />
linking Clark to key cities<br />
nationwide, notably Cebu<br />
and Davao, along with the<br />
world-renowned island resort<br />
of Boracay.<br />
Subic-Clark Stretch of SCTEX<br />
6
In the News<br />
BCDA turns over P1.8-B to<br />
National Treasury<br />
by Roy Victor R. Rosales, BCDA Public Affairs Department<br />
M<br />
ALACAÑANG PALACE—the state-owned<br />
BCDA was among the 19 government-owned<br />
and controlled corporations (GOCCs) that<br />
remitted a total of P29.25 billion to the National Treasury<br />
during the Government-Owned and Controlled<br />
Corporation (GOCC) Day last <strong>Jan</strong>uary 28, <strong>2011</strong>.<br />
During the ceremonial turnover of GOCCs’ check<br />
dividends and remittances, BCDA Chairman Aloysius<br />
Santos and BCDA Board Director Jose Luis Martin<br />
“Chito” Gascon, turned over a check amounting to<br />
P1.8-billion to the National Treasury. The turnover was<br />
witnessed by President Benigno “Noynoy” S. Aquino III.<br />
The P1.8 billion that BCDA turned over to the National<br />
Treasury represents the share of the Armed Forces of<br />
the <strong>Philippines</strong> (AFP) from the proceeds/revenues<br />
generated from the redemption of preferred shares<br />
of BCDA in Fort Bonifacio Development Corporation<br />
(FBDC), the joint venture company developing<br />
Bonifacio Global City, where BCDA holds 45 percent<br />
equity.<br />
In his speech, President Aquino said the “dividends<br />
and other remittances from GOCCs will allow the<br />
government to frontload its expenditures and speed<br />
up the implementation of anti-poverty programs,<br />
among others.”<br />
President Aquino added that his administration will<br />
work doubly hard to strengthen GOCC transparency<br />
and disclosure practices to conform with international<br />
best practices.<br />
“Your companies’ major shareholders—the public—will<br />
have access to your financial and operational results,<br />
remuneration policies, related party transactions,<br />
governance structures and policies, among others,”<br />
the chief executive said.<br />
The President also said the Department of Finance<br />
is developing an IT-based reporting system that will<br />
require full disclosure of several aspects of GOCC<br />
operations. “This will give everyone a chance to,<br />
once and for all, prove to the people that every<br />
institution in government is on their side—on the side<br />
of transparency, on the side of truth, on the side of<br />
progress.”<br />
Aside from Chairman Santos and Board Director<br />
Gascon, other BCDA officials who attended the<br />
turnover rites were composed of Executive Vice<br />
President Aileen Zosa, Vice President for Planning and<br />
Business Development Dean Santiago, Vice President<br />
for Finance Nena Radoc, and Manager for Budget<br />
Monitoring Hedda Rulona.<br />
President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino welcomes BCDA Chairman<br />
Aloysius R. Santos as he turns over to the National Treasury the<br />
corporation’s remittance check amounting to P1.8-B. Also shown in<br />
the photo are: (from left to right) Cavite 1st District Representative<br />
Joseph Emilio Abaya, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Senators<br />
Franklin Drilon & Ralph Recto and BCDA Director Jose Luis Martin<br />
Gascon.<br />
BCDA Chairman Aloysius R. Santos, VP for Business Development<br />
Dean J. Santiago, Budget and Monitoring Department Manager Hedda<br />
Y. Rulona, BCDA Executive Vice President Aileen R. Zosa together<br />
with President Aquino pose for a souvenir shot with the President<br />
after the turnover ceremony.<br />
7
Profile<br />
The Veteran:<br />
Director Max Sangil<br />
“He saw the trees because he refused to be blinded by the forest.”<br />
by Maricar <strong>Save</strong>lla-Villamil, BCDA Public Affairs Department<br />
This was how former Pampanga Press Club President<br />
Ramiro Mercado and his other media colleagues<br />
described veteran journalist Max Sangil, in the latter’s<br />
book Somewhere in Central Luzon, published in 1994.<br />
It reads further: “To those who know Max Sangil as<br />
a newspaper columnist in over two decades, one is<br />
familiar with the tools of his trade—the axe that opens<br />
many a Pandora box; dagger insinuations; a cleaver of<br />
sarcasm; poniards of innuendos; provocative lances;<br />
and for those he had hurt<br />
and wounded, a shoeshine<br />
rag and a gypsy violin, the<br />
first to wipe their tears and<br />
the second to salve their<br />
indignation. These are his<br />
tools for jungle survival.”<br />
To date, BCDA Director<br />
Maximo Sangil has been<br />
a journalist for almost four<br />
decades.<br />
BOLD<br />
EXERTIONS<br />
Veteran journalist<br />
Max Sangil has<br />
made a name in<br />
the local print and<br />
broadcast media. He<br />
is currently one of the<br />
co-hosts of Talakayan,<br />
a public affairs program<br />
aired over 95.1 RW, CLTV36<br />
and other cable carriers.<br />
Apart from this, he is a<br />
member of CAMI or the<br />
Capampangan Media, Inc.,<br />
whose president is Federico<br />
Pascual of the Philippine Star<br />
and chairman, Crispulo<br />
Icban, Jr., editor-in-chief of<br />
the Manila Bulletin. Further<br />
he is a member of the<br />
Tuesday Club of<br />
Shangri-La Edsa, whose<br />
members are the biggies in the<br />
journalism and political worlds.<br />
A seasoned newsman, he worked before and after<br />
Martial Law years as a reporter and a consultant of the<br />
Philippine Daily Inquirer, and the defunct broadsheets<br />
Philippine Daily Star and Philippine Daily Express.<br />
For a decade he was a radio commentator of DWGV-<br />
FM, and has worked with local and national newspapers<br />
as a former columnist of SunStar Pampanga among<br />
other Central Luzon publications, editor of the Angeles<br />
Observer and Consultant to the Philippine Journal<br />
Group of Companies.<br />
Looking back, even at a young age, Mr. Sangil knew<br />
that writing is his life and his passion. As a college<br />
student in the sixties, he was already able to put himself<br />
to school as he was already working professionally as a<br />
writer for komiks and magazines.<br />
“I write good in Filipino,” he beams.<br />
He was earning P4.00 per page or P12.00 for a fourpage<br />
short story; a semester then was a little over a<br />
hundred pesos. Eventually, he left University of Sto.<br />
Tomas without earning his degree but soon enough,<br />
became a successful publisher of his own paper in<br />
Pampanga. At the same time, the young journalist did<br />
radio broadcast and political PR (public relations) and<br />
inevitably, entered politics.<br />
MAYOR MAX<br />
From 1988 to 1998, Director Sangil was the number one<br />
member of the City Council of Angeles until he became<br />
Mayor in 1998, when then Mayor Ed Pamintuan and<br />
Vice Mayor Francis Nepomuceno vacated their posts.<br />
He ran for mayor the same year, under the banner of<br />
the Liberal Party, but was not successful.<br />
Mr. Sangil was also past president of the Rotary Club of<br />
Angeles, and was recognized as the Most Outstanding<br />
Rotarian in 2002 (Rotary District 3790) and Outstanding<br />
Club President in 2005.<br />
MONDAY CLUB CHAIRMAN<br />
“I have a beautiful life. I have a beautiful family. I have<br />
several friends. As a matter of fact, I am what they call<br />
the Chairman Emeritus of a fellowship club in Angeles<br />
called the ‘Monday Club’ where a cross-section of<br />
Angeles’ businessmen, newsmen, etcetera meet every<br />
Monday.”<br />
8
The Monday Club has been in existence for 15 years.<br />
“What makes you happy?” the interviewer continues.<br />
The answer: “Mababaw and kaligayahan ko. When I<br />
am with friends I don’t smoke; I don’t go to night clubs,<br />
but we drink beer and talk about beautiful ladies like<br />
Jennylyn Mercado, her recent movie Rosario and the<br />
ladies on television with Willie Revillame.”<br />
He continues, “Even at 11:00 in the evening before<br />
I sleep, I enjoy reading and sending text jokes to my<br />
friends….because I know that it will lighten their day….<br />
At my age, these make me happy.”<br />
MORE CANDID CONFESSIONS<br />
“When I was young, I had my way… I never paid the<br />
matrikula. I befriended the rector, the Parish Priest<br />
of our town in Porac, and his note will be my ticket to<br />
taking the periodic exams,” he shares, smiling.<br />
It was notable that Mr. Sangil has a classic humor, and<br />
an endearing wit to back it up. It is very easy to feel<br />
comfortable around him. He is warm and is quick in<br />
expressing gratitude for even the small things. He has<br />
this sincere appreciation for people—from the CEOs to<br />
the rank and file.<br />
He describes himself as an “easy-going fellow.”<br />
“Ang management style ko, yung pagkatao ko.<br />
Kaibigan ko lahat,” he humbly reveals.<br />
Indeed, such good nature must have enabled him to<br />
hold crucial positions in his younger years.<br />
At the age of 24, Mr. Sangil has already managed<br />
four casinos. He was formerly a hotel manager and<br />
an owner of a big printing press. He was a former<br />
director of the Philippine National Bank (“When I’m no<br />
banker.”), Meralco, and managed several businesses;<br />
these, aside from his former career in politics and<br />
broadcast/print journalism.<br />
Currently, the Sangil family owns seven pawnshops and<br />
two restaurants in Pampanga—with one managed by<br />
his only son.<br />
He makes special mention of the advice he gives his<br />
children as they manage the family business: “You<br />
should be nice to your workers–because you are<br />
nothing without them.”<br />
He elaborates further on one of the parameters of<br />
being “happy” in life.<br />
“Huwag mo masyadong seryosohin ang sino at ang<br />
ano at lalo na ang sarili mo. Handle your job with ease<br />
and do not pressure your health over issues arising from<br />
work, traffic…”<br />
Though Director Sangil is quick to<br />
point out that by nature, he<br />
does not take himself seriously,<br />
he emphasizes that he<br />
always sees any job as an<br />
opportunity to “discharge<br />
his duties to the best of<br />
his ability.”<br />
THE<br />
KAPAMPANGAN<br />
SENIOR<br />
For over a year<br />
now, Mr. Sangil<br />
has served as<br />
one of the<br />
Directors of the<br />
<strong>Bases</strong> Conversion<br />
and Development<br />
Authority.<br />
Concurrent<br />
to this, he is director<br />
of the BCDA<br />
Management<br />
and Holdings, Inc. and the Clark Development<br />
Corporation. Mr. Sangil is also a former director of the<br />
Clark International Airport Corporation.<br />
As one of those appointed to the BCDA Board, he<br />
believes that he has contributed largely to the thrusts<br />
of BCDA because he comes from Central Luzon—<br />
which is traversed by the BCDA’s biggest infrastructure<br />
undertaking, the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX)<br />
and is the region where the biggest military base<br />
outside the United States is located. Thus, he is very<br />
much familiar with the terrain and the sentiments of the<br />
stakeholders including non-government organizations.<br />
For this, he asserts that more appointees to the BCDA<br />
should come from Central Luzon.<br />
When asked about his greatest challenge in life, he<br />
candidly answers: “There is no more challenge. I’m<br />
already a senior citizen.”<br />
But the endearing and humble self-confessed “senior<br />
citizen”—who despite the great wealth of experience<br />
in his background—was very quick to express his<br />
gratitude to his colleagues from the BCDA Board<br />
because of the learning he gained from them.<br />
“You cannot buy that experience eh. Parang yun na<br />
ang aking PhD.”<br />
On a more serious note, he describes the strengths of<br />
BCDA.<br />
“BCDA exercises a lot of political will. Building the<br />
SCTEX is not an easy job—with a lot of impediments<br />
by some people and groups. I am telling the President<br />
continued on page 13<br />
9
Freeport / Ecozone News<br />
Achievements mark 2010<br />
for CIAC, DMIA<br />
Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) President<br />
and Chief Executive Officer Victor Jose I. Luciano said<br />
among the major developments for 2010 are the start<br />
of operations of Korean budget airlines Jin Air and<br />
South East Asian Airlines (Seair), the expansion of the<br />
Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility in<br />
the Clark Civil Aviation Complex, inauguration of the<br />
DMIA expanded Terminal and the ground-breaking<br />
for The Medical City facility at the Global Gateway<br />
Logistics City (GGLC).<br />
The Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) is<br />
the developer of the Clark Civil Aviation Complex and<br />
operator of the DMIA.<br />
by the CIAC Corporate Communications Department<br />
The Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) has steadily grown by leaps and bounds over the past<br />
few years, having attracted more airlines that come along with it the passengers as well as services that drive<br />
the airport’s activities.<br />
Starting operations in late October 2010, Jin Air now flies<br />
five times a week between the DMIA and the Incheon<br />
International Airport in South Korea, a move that will<br />
lead anew to an influx of Korean travelers to Clark that<br />
will benefit as well the Metro Clark area and Central<br />
and Northern Luzon where a host of tourist destinations<br />
await the foreign travelers.<br />
Jin Air’s five weekly Incheon-Clark-Incheon flights will<br />
utilize the 180-seater Boeing 737-800 aircraft. Jin Air is a<br />
full subsidiary of Korean Air, South Korea’s flag carrier<br />
and its largest airline, that is among the top 20 airlines<br />
in the world in terms of passengers carried and a topranked<br />
international freight carrying airline serving 130<br />
cities in 45 countries around the world.<br />
Jin Air is the second Korean commercial airline to<br />
operate at the Clark airport after Asiana Airlines that<br />
started operations in October 2003.<br />
Luciano also said South East Asian Airlines (Seair),<br />
the country’s second oldest airline and a pioneer<br />
airline to locate and operate at the DMIA, initiated<br />
in mid-December 2010 its twice daily low-cost Clark-<br />
Singapore flights.<br />
No less than President Benigno Aquino III led last<br />
December 7 the blessing of the Airbus A-319 at the<br />
Seair hangar in Clark that will be used for the flight.<br />
The Clark-Singapore flight that signaled the start of<br />
more international flights at the DMIA as it adds to<br />
the current average of 11 flights per day provided by<br />
foreign and local budget carriers at the DMIA, capped<br />
the coming of airlines to the DMIA for 2010.<br />
Luciano said Seair’s Singapore operations at DMIA<br />
will further boost the Clark airport’s development as<br />
10<br />
The Diosdado Macapagal International Airport<br />
it serves more passengers, especially overseas Filipino<br />
workers (OFWs), as the flight will bring them closer to<br />
their families.<br />
Seair is a pioneer locator and airline at the Clark<br />
Freeport Zone, having started operations in 1995.<br />
It is the second oldest airline in the country next to<br />
Philippine Airlines (PAL) and operates domestic flights<br />
such as to Boracay via the DMIA.<br />
Seair President and CEO Avelino Zapanta said Seair<br />
had leased two 144-seater Airbus 319 aircraft from its<br />
partner Tiger Airways of Singapore. Two more Airbus<br />
319 aircraft are expected to be delivered by the first<br />
half of <strong>2011</strong>. Seair will take over the Singapore flights<br />
of Tiger at the DMIA. Zapanta added that SEAIR is<br />
also eyeing more international flights to Hong Kong,<br />
Macau, Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan, Korea and Japan<br />
to increase their presence in the Southeast Asian<br />
Region by <strong>2011</strong>.<br />
At the same time, Luciano said leading aircraft MRO<br />
company SIA Engineering Company (SIAEC) will be<br />
setting up its second hangar costing close to Php1<br />
billion to provide MRO services for the Boeing 747 and<br />
777.<br />
He said the development of SIA’s second and bigger<br />
hangar will again generate 300 direct jobs and 200<br />
indirect jobs. Construction for the second hangar had<br />
been slated for mid-November 2010 and is expected<br />
to start operations by the end-2012.
Freeport / Ecozone News<br />
The second hangar is in addition to its first hangar for the<br />
Airbus 319 and 320 series aircraft that was constructed<br />
in November 2008. The project is a joint venture with<br />
Cebu Pacific Air. The first hangar, costing an estimated<br />
Php800 million, started operations in July 2009 and has<br />
provided MRO services to Cebu Pacific fleet of Airbus<br />
aircraft.<br />
Based in Singapore, SIAEC is a leading aircraft MRO<br />
company providing total maintenance solutions to the<br />
aircraft of the world. SIAEC, together with its 24 joint<br />
ventures and subsidiaries across nine countries, formed<br />
the SIAEC Group.<br />
The SIAEC Group provides extensive MRO of aircraft<br />
for more than 85 international airlines worldwide.<br />
With certifications from more than 20 airworthiness<br />
authorities, SIAEC’s six hangars and 22 in-house<br />
workshops in Singapore provide complete MRO<br />
services in airframe, component, engine, aircraft<br />
conversions, and modifications to major airlines from<br />
four continents.<br />
SIAEC also provides support services at the Changi<br />
International Airport in Singapore as well as line<br />
m a i n t e n a n c e<br />
support services to<br />
countries such as<br />
Australia, United<br />
States, Hong Kong,<br />
Indonesia, Vietnam<br />
and the <strong>Philippines</strong>.<br />
Service at the DMIA<br />
has also been upped<br />
after passenger<br />
facilitation processes<br />
Continuous expansion at DMIA is were found at par<br />
rendered to accommodate more and with worldwide<br />
more passengers each year.<br />
industrial and<br />
commercial management system standards and<br />
certified International Organization for Standardization<br />
(ISO) 9001:2008 compliant.<br />
The certification was given by TÜV RHEINLAND<br />
<strong>Philippines</strong> Inc., a global leader in the certification of<br />
management systems with 490 offices in 61 countries,<br />
during awarding ceremonies held at the Mimosa<br />
Convention Center in March last year.<br />
The certification came after a year of activities that<br />
involve an assessment of CIAC’s compliance to<br />
general documentation requirements, management<br />
commitment, customer focus, quality policy and<br />
planning and adherence of CIAC, airlines and other<br />
national agencies operating at the DMIA to the Service<br />
Level Agreements and Service Excellence Standards<br />
entered into by CIAC authorities with officials of these<br />
agencies and airlines.<br />
Darwin L. Cunanan, CIAC Corporate Planning Manager<br />
and ISO Quality Management Representative, said<br />
the conformity audit and assessment conducted by<br />
TÜV RHEINLAND revealed CIAC measures up to the<br />
quality management system standards in the field of<br />
International Passenger Facilitation at the DMIA based<br />
on specifications of ISO 9001:2008.<br />
Romeo N. Dyoco Jr., CIAC Vice-President for<br />
Operations and Business Development and ISO<br />
General Manager, said the scope of ISO 9001:2008<br />
involves Passenger Facilitation to deliver better quality<br />
service to international travelers and passengers at the<br />
DMIA which is bustling with international and domestic<br />
flights provided by international and local air carriers.<br />
Mid last year, the DMIA Terminal 1 Building Expansion<br />
Project was also inaugurated by former President Gloria<br />
Macapagal-Arroyo in June, a project that increased<br />
the passenger volume of the Clark airport to Php2.5<br />
million annually.<br />
Developed at a cost of Php308.8 million, the expanded<br />
terminal is expected to boost the operations of the<br />
airport as well as attract more foreign and local airlines<br />
to the DMIA. The newly-expanded DMIA Terminal-1<br />
features two passenger boarding bridges to provide<br />
convenience to passengers as well as improvements<br />
that include Flight Information Display Systems (FIDS);<br />
closed-circuit televisions (CCTVs); public television;<br />
background music and a public address system; X-ray<br />
machines; and, elevators and escalators.<br />
Another noteworthy development for the Clark<br />
Freeport Zone as a whole is the development of a<br />
tertiary hospital that will provide medical and health<br />
care services after President led the time capsulelaying<br />
for the development of The Medical City (TMC)<br />
at the Global Gateway Logistics City (GGLC) in the<br />
Clark Freeport Zone.<br />
The Medical City <strong>Philippines</strong> is a tertiary health care<br />
organization with a medical staff of 1,100 physicians<br />
and 2,200 support personnel serving 40,000 in-patients<br />
and 400,000 out-patients annually.<br />
The Medical City Strategic Services Group Head<br />
Margaret Bengzon said TMC Clark will serve as the<br />
company’s flagship center for the Central and Northern<br />
Luzon region. Bengzon said the hospital, which will be<br />
fully-operational by 2013, addresses TMC’s expansion<br />
strategies outside the Metro Manila area.<br />
GGLC is a 177-hectare tract of land in Clark that is<br />
being developed for a mixed use logistics center. It will<br />
feature, among others, an aero park and a logistics<br />
park. It will cost $1 billion and is being developed by<br />
the Peregrine Development International firm with<br />
funding from the Kuwait Gulf and Link (KGL) Investment<br />
Company.<br />
Passenger services have also been given a boost<br />
following the operation of the DMIA Shuttle Service,<br />
an added convenience to passengers provided by<br />
jeepneys that ferry passengers from the DMIA to the<br />
Dau Bus Terminal outside of the Clark Freeport Zone<br />
continued on page 13<br />
11
Freeport / Ecozone News<br />
Bird Watching in<br />
Camp John Hay<br />
by Michelle Garcia, JHMC Marketing Officer/Acting PR Officer<br />
Photo credits: Ely Teehankee, Wildlife Bird Photographer and Wild Bird Club of the <strong>Philippines</strong> Member<br />
Bird watching fascinates countless people around the world. Studies show many significant benefits from this<br />
emerging hobby. There’s fitness and health, obviously because you have to be outdoors, hiking on trails<br />
in between trees, exposure to sunlight and breathing fresh air all of which are good for the skin, heart and<br />
lungs, and the body in general.<br />
And who could resist the pleasure from nature? Bird<br />
watching leads you to a more natural way of life.<br />
This hobby enables us to get struck by the vitality of<br />
nature, rhythm from the forest and effortless beauty of<br />
the landscape. We get to see and feel these firsthand.<br />
Imam Bedejim Abdullah, a member of the Wild Bird<br />
Club of the <strong>Philippines</strong>, visited the JHMC office one day<br />
and talked about<br />
the potential of<br />
Camp John Hay<br />
as a Birdwatching<br />
Site. Little did we<br />
know that it had<br />
long been a site<br />
for birders visiting<br />
Baguio City. He<br />
also tagged<br />
Camp John Hay<br />
as an “Uncaged<br />
Aviary” for birds<br />
Sulfur-billed Nuthatch<br />
(some endemic)<br />
that have found<br />
sanctuary in the<br />
forest reservation.<br />
According to him,<br />
birdwatching is “a<br />
test of patience<br />
as well as intellect,<br />
when you strive to<br />
identify the birds.<br />
It takes discipline to stalk and have a good view of<br />
the species. It is a perfect family activity to enjoy the<br />
outdoors and wind-up from urban stress and hectic<br />
lifestyle.”<br />
The desire to hunt for wildlife is woven into our being<br />
and bird watching is the civilised way of giving<br />
satisfaction to the thrill of the chase.<br />
Birdwatchers strongly support efforts to save the<br />
environment. At present, JHMC receives many pro<br />
bono tips and advice on how to promote the hobby,<br />
and protect the forest for these feathered friends<br />
through the help of Dr. Rene Calado Jr., member of<br />
the Wild Bird Club of the <strong>Philippines</strong>,<br />
12<br />
Ely Teehankee, a Wildlife Bird Photographer, and<br />
member of the Wild Bird Club of the <strong>Philippines</strong>, also<br />
explored the eco-trails of Camp John Hay and took<br />
photos of the colorful little creatures living within its<br />
environs.<br />
“The biggest satisfaction comes when<br />
people get to see the beauty of the<br />
birds and remember the One who<br />
created them, GOD.” - Ely Teehankee<br />
Citrine Canary Flycatcher<br />
Long Tailed Shrike
The Veteran:<br />
Director Max Sangil<br />
from page 9<br />
and CEO and the other directors that without them,<br />
the expressway may not be open to motorists until<br />
now.”<br />
And he ends this with a bold statement: “If all<br />
government agencies were like BCDA, baka mas<br />
maayos ang ating bansa. Di ko sinasabing hindi<br />
maayos….baka mas maayos.”<br />
THE GREATEST FATHER IN THE WORLD<br />
Indeed, it was obvious that Mr. Sangil felt extra joy as<br />
he revealed how brilliant his children are, as he spoke<br />
in a louder tone.<br />
“If I showed you their text messages, you would read<br />
that my children call me the ‘greatest father in the<br />
world,” he beams.<br />
When asked if any of his children followed his footsteps?<br />
Mr. Sangil answers, “No.” His eldest daughter is now<br />
Vice President of Citibank. His second daughter<br />
is managing the family business—their pawnshop<br />
and jewelry shop. His only son manages the two<br />
restaurants and publishes a magazine called In Flight<br />
which is distributed among local airlines. His youngest<br />
daughter owns a bakeshop—having extensive<br />
culinary knowledge.<br />
“Yan ang ROI (Return of Investment) ko eh. I sent them<br />
to the best schools—UP and Ateneo.” he declares<br />
with pride.<br />
He reveals that he has five grandsons and prides<br />
himself in the fact that they are all musically-inclined.<br />
He confirms later on that he did play a little guitar in<br />
the past and was actually one of the singers “of a<br />
local combo which preceded RJ and the Riots and<br />
the Electromaniacs.”<br />
“As a husband? If you rate me from one to 10, I am<br />
only a seven, di ako papasa.” he admits.<br />
He acknowledges that he rates himself seven because<br />
he can no longer come home at 5:30 in the afternoon<br />
to water the plants and join the cooking. He often<br />
comes home at nine o’ clock in the evening.<br />
ORA ET LABORA<br />
Work and pray.<br />
Mr. Sangil acknowledges that he was raised in a Godfearing<br />
family, where one must be home when it is<br />
time to say The Angelus.<br />
He shares his life’s motto—St. Benedict’s rule—to BCDA<br />
employees:<br />
“Ora et Labora. Discharge your function to the best<br />
of your ability but remember that there is one Director<br />
upstairs. Learn to help yourself and He will help<br />
you.”<br />
Thus, amidst all that needs to be<br />
done, at the end of the day, Mr.<br />
Sangil, a veteran of all trades,<br />
traces back each day to the Lord.<br />
Going back to his book<br />
Somewhere In Central Luzon<br />
(1994), which he dedicates to<br />
his parents—Pedro and Beatriz—<br />
and his grandsons, the fearless<br />
Mr. Sangil leaves a note for his<br />
readers:<br />
“I have attempted<br />
here a serviceable<br />
sketch of my life,<br />
Somewhere in Central Luzon is a cryptic<br />
nameplace indicating dateline of exclusive<br />
mostly confidential stories dispatched by<br />
a national newspaper through its staff and<br />
correspondents.<br />
certain events,<br />
and some people<br />
involved in a drama which is a slice of life in Central<br />
Luzon….The purpose of this book is to share with the<br />
reader the experience of a young and struggling<br />
newsman in the province as he travels in the maze<br />
of social conflict, ideological struggle, and the<br />
unpredictable conduct of fellow human beings.”<br />
Achievements mark 2010...<br />
from page 11<br />
to facilitate travel from the airport to Metro Manila,<br />
Northern and Southern Luzon. These are on top of<br />
the bus lines and taxis already operating at the DMIA<br />
terminal.<br />
The DMIA is host to foreign and local carriers<br />
operating flights to various domestic and international<br />
destinations. These include Asiana Airlines of South<br />
Korea that flies the Clark-Incheon route daily; Seair<br />
that flies to Singapore five times a week as well as to<br />
Caticlan; Air Asia of Malaysia that has flights to Kuala<br />
Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu daily; Pacific Flier with<br />
chartered flights via the Clark-Palau route; and, the<br />
Spirit of Manila Airlines (SOMA) that flies to Taipei while<br />
Philippine carrier Cebu Pacific Air flies to Hong Kong,<br />
Singapore, Macau and Bangkok in South East Asia as<br />
well as domestically to Cebu.<br />
“All these developments, along with several notable<br />
activities undertaken to improve facilities and activities<br />
at the DMIA, are indications that CIAC is raising the<br />
bar of service at the DMIA to meet the growing<br />
demand of the continuously developing aviation<br />
industry in the country. These are all groundwork for<br />
major developments that we foresee for <strong>2011</strong> that<br />
include the entry of more airlines that would spur<br />
advancement for the DMIA and CIAC,” Luciano<br />
stressed.<br />
13
Locator Profile<br />
Managing The Manor<br />
Q and A with GM Ramoncito Cabrera<br />
The Manor Hotel at Camp John Hay in Baguio City is one of the summer capital’s famous and most-visited<br />
establishments. Situated in the City of Pines, The Manor gives tourists a pictureque view of the Cordillera<br />
mountain range making it a cut above all other hotels in the City.<br />
General Manager Ramoncito Cornejo Cabrera shares his insights, visions as well as the hotel’s history with the<br />
BCDA Public Affairs Department (PAD).<br />
How long have you served as General Manager of The<br />
Manor?<br />
I have been the General Manager for The Manor<br />
at Camp John Hay for about two and a half years<br />
now and it has been a challenging yet rewarding<br />
experience for me.<br />
What mainly are your responsibilities as GM?<br />
I am responsible for the hotel’s day-to-day operations<br />
ensuring that all guests are satisfied with our excellent<br />
service and employees are fulfilled with their jobs. Part<br />
of my personal thrust is to instill continuous improvement<br />
in all employees, thus, personnel trainings and career<br />
development are part of their daily activities.<br />
Prior to becoming GM, what other responsibilities have<br />
you held?<br />
I joined Hyatt Terraces Baguio in 1979 as Banquet<br />
Headwaiter. I then worked my way up to become the<br />
Assistant Director of Food and Beverage in 1984. I also<br />
held the same position at the Hyatt Regency Saipan<br />
and became the Director of Food and Beverage at<br />
the Hyatt Regency Manila. In 1994, I joined Caylabne<br />
Ramoncito Cornejo Cabrera<br />
General Manager of The Manor<br />
at Camp John Hay<br />
Bay Resort in<br />
Cavite as Resident<br />
Manager and<br />
s u b s e q u e n t l y<br />
held the same<br />
position in Manila<br />
Southwoods Golf<br />
and Country Club<br />
in Cavite from<br />
1996-2004. I went<br />
back to Saipan<br />
as a pre-opening<br />
General Manager<br />
for Aqua Resort<br />
Club prior to<br />
joining Manila<br />
Southwoods Golf<br />
and Country<br />
Club. To further<br />
hone and widen<br />
my hotel and<br />
restaurant career,<br />
I attended several<br />
trainings, seminar and hotel cross exposures in different<br />
Hyatt properties. I am also a member of different civic<br />
and industry affiliations. For these, I have received<br />
The Manor at Camp John Hay<br />
14
different awards for my contribution to the industry.<br />
Currently, I hold the position as the General Manager<br />
of The Manor Hotel at Camp John Hay.<br />
Can you give us a brief history of The Manor at Camp<br />
John Hay; how it all started?<br />
The Manor at Camp John Hay is owned and managed<br />
by Camp John Hay Leisure, Incorporated together<br />
with The Suites at Camp John Hay and CAP Trade<br />
and Cultural Center. It was opened to the public in<br />
December 2001 with 72 well-appointed rooms and 64<br />
employees. At the moment, we have a total of 177<br />
luxury rooms. The Manor is also an accredited AAA<br />
Resort by the Department of Tourism since 2002.<br />
Why did you choose to be part of Camp John Hay?<br />
I was appointed by the President of Camp John Hay<br />
Leisure, Inc., Mr. Alberto Q. Avanceña, to assume the<br />
position of General Manager of the hotel.<br />
What events / promos should your clients look out for<br />
in <strong>2011</strong> or for the rest of the year?<br />
Our clients should look out for the following:<br />
1) Online Reservation System – guests from all over the<br />
world may be able to book their reservations online<br />
at www.campjohnhay.ph; 2) Bakasyon Grande sa<br />
Baguio (March to May <strong>2011</strong>) ; 3) Irresistible Baguio<br />
Promo and Convention Specials (June to September<br />
<strong>2011</strong>); 4) Mabuhay Balikbayan Advantage (July<br />
to December <strong>2011</strong>); 5) Convene with a Magical<br />
Baguio Twist (<strong>Jan</strong>uary 1 to June 15 and October 16 to<br />
December 20, <strong>2011</strong>)<br />
What are your future plans?<br />
This year, we intend to open and manage The<br />
Suites at Camp John Hay, which will have 208 wellappointed<br />
rooms, consisting of studios, one-bedroom,<br />
two-bedroom and three-bedroom suites. The facilities<br />
at The Suites are The Lobby Bar and the 19th Tee<br />
Restaurant which will be run by our partner for fine<br />
dining, Le Chef, and the Lobby Shop.<br />
How the SCTEX help The Manor or Camp John Hay?<br />
With the onset of the SCTEX and the decrease of travel<br />
time to Baguio, an increase of about 8 percent has<br />
been manifested in room revenues for the hotel.<br />
What is your advice for those who plan to invest as a<br />
locator in the John Hay Special Economic Zone?<br />
Since investments in Camp John Hay are on the<br />
rise, there are a lot of benefits an investor may take<br />
advantage of since the camp is a special economic<br />
zone. I highly encourage investors to capitalize and<br />
play a part in the dynamic commerce developing<br />
inside the camp.<br />
Any other matters you want our readers to know?<br />
The Manor, being at the heart of Camp John Hay,<br />
makes this hotel more appealing to local guests<br />
and foreigners. Its historical charm, being the rest<br />
and recreation facility of the American servicemen,<br />
brings uniqueness into the hotel. The Camp itself<br />
is a community of its own; where recreational and<br />
leisure activities abound. We have an 18-hole, par-69<br />
championship golf course, MileHi Center for shopping,<br />
restaurants and coffee shops for dining, and outdoor<br />
sports facilities, such as trekking, rappelling, various<br />
rides and services, paint ball, horseback riding, etc.<br />
credits: Cherrylyn Tamiao, Executive Secretary of The Manor<br />
at Camp John Hay<br />
15
SUBIC-CLARK-TARLAC EXPRESSWAY<br />
The 94-kilometer Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) is considered as the longest expressway in the country<br />
to date. It was designed and built to interconnect three major economic zones in Central Luzon—the Subic<br />
Bay Freeport Zone, the Clark Freeport Zone and the Central Techno Park in Tarlac. It is a flagship project of the<br />
national government and is the biggest infrastructure undertaking of the <strong>Bases</strong> Conversion and Development<br />
Authority.<br />
SCTEX serves as the “new economic backbone” of Central Luzon and adjoining regions providing wider<br />
investment, trade and employment opportunities.<br />
SCTEX is also considered as the most scenic of all expressways showcasing the beauty of nature surrounded by<br />
mountains and greenery while having a hassle-free travel along the toll road.