Trader: Bright future for Clark

• Source:http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/2016/05/20/trader-bright-future-clark-474704
• Saturday, May 21, 2016

By Reynaldo G. Navales

CLARK FREEPORT -- Businessman Rene Romero said he welcomes the impending appointment of Arthur Tugade, former president of the Clark Development Corporation (CDC), as the next secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).

Romero said that he sees a bright future for Clark with Tugade’s leadership in the DOTC.

"Yes of course [we support] if it is true that Art Tugade will be the DOTC secretary. I think it’s a good plus for people advocating for the full development of Clark," he said.

For many years, Romero said that the development of Clark was neglected by past presidents including President Aquino. “He did not give presidential pronouncements to make Clark as the main gateway or maybe the twin airport of NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International Airport).”

As a former CDC head, Tugade knows the situation in Clark and that Clark International Airport (CRK) needs to be developed, he added.

“I believe that Art Tugade has the ear of Duterte. Being the former CDC president and CIAC director, I am sure atyu keng pusu ng Art Tugade na kailangan i-develop ya ing Clark. So, masanting ya kinabukasan ing Clark, ing [Central Luzon] region, ampo ing bansa ta mu in terms of ing DOTC’s responsibility for infrastructure development kang Art Tugade (I am sure that the development of Clark and the future of Central Luzon as well as our country is in the heart of Art Tugade),” Romero said.

The businessman also described Tugade as an action man and one of the best presidents CDC has ever had.

“I congratulate him for his new position and I hope that he will succeed,” Romero said.

Incoming president Rodrigo Duterte earlier said that he will appoint Tugade, who was his San Beda classmate, as DOTC head.

“Art Tugade will get the DOTC. He’s good. He was our valedictorian,” Duterte said.

Duterte also offered Senator Alan Cayetano to head either the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) or the Department of Justice (DOJ).