Pampanga leaders, BCDA commend CDC

• Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/2015/11/19/pampanga-leaders-bcda-commend-cdc-442383
• Thursday, November 19, 2015

By Reynaldo G. Navales

CLARK FREEPORT -- Top local officials in Pampanga, including the parent company of Clark Development Corporation (CDC), commended the management team of the state-owned firm after recently bagging a prestigious award.

Governor Lilia Pineda, First District Representative Joseller “Yeng” Guiao and Bases Conversion and Development Authority president Arnel Casanova congratulated CDC for winning the Executive Leadership Team category in the Asia CEO Awards.

The governor extended her commendation to CDC president and CEO Arthur P. Tugade after learning of the state-owned firm has received the recognition. She phoned Tugade after learning that CDC bested other big time public and private corporations in the country.

CDC bested nine other finalists that are considered as top private firms and government corporations with national scope in the Philippines. This is the first time that a government agency had won the category.

Past winners were SM Prime Holdings (2014), ADEC Innovations (2013), Ayala Land (2012), Magsaysay Maritime (2011) and BDO (2010).

A report stated that Guiao "is proud of the achievements of CDC because this shows Kapampangans’ hard work to make Clark Freeport among the premiere investment and tourism destination in Central Luzon."

The Asia CEO Awards, presented by PLDT Alpha Enterprise, was held November 11 at the Marriott Hotel in Manila. It is considered the largest event of its kind in Philippines and one of the largest in Asia.

The newspaper report continued: "Guiao was also told that there are more than 81,000 workers and 781 locators in Clark and with the opening of many companies under construction and with expansion programs, the 100,000 workers is expected to breach in 2016."

Casanova, also finalist in the Global Filipino Executive of the Year category of the Asia CEO Awards, congratulated CDC executives through a text message: “I am proud of our team in CDC. We have proven that public servants can be the best.”

Among the finalists in the Executive Leadership Team category were titans in the business world and government agencies with national scope. They include: Concepcion Industrial Corp, Hedcor, Inc., Integrated Micro Electronics, Inc., Magsaysay Maritime Corp, Megaworld Corp., PAGIBIG Fund, Philex Mining Corp., Pointwest Technologies Corp., and, Security Bank Corp.

Tugade who is also among the finalists in the Global Filipino Executive of the Year category, attributed the recognition to the support of all officers and employees of CDC.

“Talagang may Diyos, alam po Niya ang hirap, dusa at pasakit na aming dinaanan at pinagdaraanan sa government service. Recognitions like this are redeeming, vindicating and very inspiring. Ito po ay para sa bayan,” Tugade said.

He added: “this recognition was achieved through the support of our (CDC) Board of Directors and the contributions of employees of CDC. Isama na rin po ang mga stakeholders ng Clark na naniniwala po na kaya ng CDC na isulong ang Clark sa higit na pag-unlad.”

This year’s judges in the Asia CEO Awards were Dr. Bernie Villegas, economist (Philippines); Jun Palafox, urban planner (Philippines); Don Felbaum, from American Chamber of Commerce in the Philippine (USA); Eduard Eun-Gap Gang, president of Korean Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines (South Korea); John Casey, former president of Australia-New Zealand Chamber of Commerce (Australia); Oscar Sanez, VP for International, San Miguel Purefoods (Philippines); and, Richard Mills, former president of Canadian Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines and Chairman of the Asia CEO Awards (Canada).