City councilors support Capilion project - Sangil

• Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/2015/07/05/city-councilors-support-capilion-project-sangil-417146
• Sunday, July 5, 2015

(Sun.Star Pampanga)

ANGELES CITY -- An official here said that members of the city council fully supports the long-term lease and development of a P7 billion mixed-use facility by Singaporean firm Capilion Corporation Pte. Limited located inside a three-hectare property along the main entrance of the Clark Freeport.

Councilor Max Sangil, who is also a veteran newsman, however said that the local officials and businessmen are opposing the project because of its location which is along the Manuel A. Roxas Avenue that runs parallel to Clark’s south perimeter road or Don Juico Avenue in Barangay Malabanias here.

“Nobody in his right mind will refuse a P7.5-billion investment. And don't get us wrong. Me and the whole Angeles City Council is all for it. Total support to the Capilion project, that is. Only there are certain issues to be addressed. One of the objections is where it will be located,” Sangil said, who is set to deliver a privilege speech at the city council session on Tuesday.

He added that there were several land use plans instituted over the years, and in all these master plans, this particular area fronting SM Mall was freed from development because of “good reasons.”

Officials of Clark Development Corporation ( CDC) allegedly came out with their own policy and declared the area as a residential and commercial area, according to Sangil.

The city official assailed CDC officials for stating that the project will become a major tourist attraction. “Say that again please? Those CDC officials are pulling our legs to say the least. Kailan ba naging tourist attraction ang isang shopping mall at call center buildings?”

Sangil said that the Global Gateway Logistics City (GGLC) inside the Clark International Airport aviation complex is an alternative site for the Capilion project.

“They are trying to compare the Capilion project to Bonifacio Global City which is more than 300 hectares. The Capilion project on lot near the Clark main gate is only three hectares,” Sangil said.

The city council is questioning the agreement the CDC forged with the Singaporean company because the land in question is now under the territorial jurisdiction of Angeles City, Sangil stressed.

He cited Section 15 of Republic Act Number 9400 (An Act Amending RA 7227 or the Bases Conversion and Development Act of 1992) which declares that “the Clark Air Base proper with an area of not more than 4,400 hectares with the exception of 22 hectares commercial area situated near the main gate and Bayanihan Park consisting of seven and half hectares located outside the main gate of the Clark Special Economic Zone is hereby declared freeport zone.”

“That’s why Capilion secured a barangay clearance from Barangay Malabanias,” Sangil said.

He added that still available areas inside the freeport where the CDC can locate Capilion.

“Why insist on a small area under the jurisdiction of Angeles City and a preserved area since the time of the Americans. Even the past many administrations of CDC that changed hands since 1993 saw to it that buffer zone should remain untouched,” Sangil said.

On the other hand, a CDC official told SunStar Pampanga that the proposed site of the Capilion project falls outside the almost 30 hectares commercial area now under the city’s territory as declared under RA 9400.