CDC continues to get recognition

• Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/2015/09/13/cdc-continues-get-recognition-430026
• Sunday, September 13, 2015

(Sun.Star Pampanga)

CLARK FREEPORT -- The leadership at this Freeport's main managing company continues to get recognition from various groups and individuals in the area and even in Metro Manila.

CDC president Arthur Tugade recently received an award from the SKAL International-Makati during the 25th SKAL International Tourism Personality Awards held at the Grand Ballroom of New World Makati Hotel in Makati City.

The event also coincided with the 34th SKAL International Founding Anniversary. SKAL, which is a Scandinavian acronym that stands for Sundher (Health), Karlek (Love). Alder (Longlife) Lycka (Happiness).

SKAL International-Makati is headed by its President Robert Lim Joseph, Jr. SKAL is a professional organization of tourism leaders around the world, promoting global tourism and friendship.

Among the recipients of the 25th SKAL International Tourism are Hans T. Sy for Integrated Tourism Enterprise, Dr. Mina T. Gabor for Sustainable Community-based Rural Tourism Development, Dr. George T. Yang for International Fast Food Chain, among others.

The first Club was founded in 1932 in Paris by travel managers, following an educational tour of Scandinavia. The idea of international goodwill and friendship grew and in 1934, the “Association Internationale des Skal Clubs” was formed with Florimond Volckaert as its first President, who is considered the “Father of SKAL.”

Tugade was first recognized by the same organization in 2013 but respectfully declined to receive the award as he has just then started to serve as president and chief executive officer of CDC.

He humbly explained that he would rather receive the award on the basis of real and actual performance and not on the basis of a mere appointment to a position.

He told then the officers of SKAL that he would be implementing a revised tourism program for Clark that would make the Freeport one of the country’s top tourist destinations.

Since then Clark has hosted series of tourism events, conventions and global business gatherings that include the successful hosting of the MICECON 4D in 2014 and the 1st Senior Officials Meeting of Asia Pacific and Economic Cooperation (SOM1 APEC) in Clark in January this year.

MICECON is a gathering of major players in the tourism industry in the Philippines while SOM1 APEC served as preparatory activity for APEC Leaders Summit this November.

CDC also renovated top tourist attractions that include the Clark Museum including the construction of 4D Theater and redevelopment of Parade Ground that now includes a rubberized jogging path.

In accepting the award few days ago, Tugade acknowledged the contributions of CDC officers and employees, attributing the success of Clark’s tourism programs to their efforts.

CDC management, its officials, employees and programs continue to get recognition for the past several months.

Given the said performance and continuing program of activities in Clark, he is privileged and honored to accept the SKAL award.

Recently, Philippine Economic Zone Authority Dir. General Lilia De Lima cited Tugade during the groundbreaking of the product distribution center project of Texas Instrument in Clark for being “Facilitator of Development.”

De Lima said "I've been in this job for more than 20 years as PEZA director general and I've seen presidents of CDC come and go, but the current one is the best (referring to Tugade)," she said.

On September 8, CDC was recognized by the 1st Air Division of the Philippine Air Force on its 44th anniversary activities.

M/Gen. Raul Del Rosario, division commander of the 1st Air Division handed Ricardo C. Banayat, CDC VP for Security Services, a plaque of appreciation for the invaluable support rendered by CDC to 1st Air Division by providing medicines during the conduct of medical and dental mission at Barangay Sapang Bato. Banayat represented Tugade during the awarding ceremony.

The Philippine State College of Aeronautics (PHILSCA) also cited Tugade during the Inauguration of the PHILSCA Basa Palmaya Campus (Mini-Hangar) in Floridablanca, Pampanga.

Tugade was also cited for being an “Entrepreneurial Advocate” which featured the CDC president in one of the country’s best-selling book series for his contributions in business and entrepreneurship.

In a Philippine Star column titled Go Negosyo by Joey A. Concepcion, Tugade’s business success story was featured on the 10th anniversary edition of Go Negosyo: 50 Inspiring Entrepreneurial Stories launched on July 28.

CDC’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs and projects were also recently cited when the company was adjudged in March this year as Best Social Enterprise in the International Golden Globe Awards in Malaysia.

The awarding ceremony was part of a three-day World Marketing Summit (WMS) organized in conjunction with Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) Asia and World CSR Day.