Trader wants council for Metro Clark boom

• Source:http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/2016/07/30/trader-wants-council-metro-clark-boom-488398
• Sunday, July 31, 2016

By Reynaldo G. Navales

ANGELES CITY -- A businessman has asked the four local government units (LGUs) around Clark Freeport to coordinate in preparation for the eventual migration of workers, investors and tourists into the area.

Rene Romero, vice-chair of the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (PamCham), is urging the mayors of Angeles City, Mabalacat City, City of San Fernando and Porac town to form a council that will handle the coordination of the four LGUs.

The four LGUs should coordinate all of their respective activities which are commonalities in governance including education, social, infrastructure, environment, economic, and other aspects, according to Romero.

The LGUs should come out with an integrated development plan in relation to the national government plan to transfer some flights from the Ninoy Aqino International Airport (NAIA) to Clark International Airport (CRK), he said.

The full development and utilization of Clark airport will create social problems, Romeo added.

“I want to convince our local government executives to prepare our place otherwise we will create new social ills which will be worse than what they have in Metro Manila now,” Romero said.

“Hindi aasenso ang isang Angeles o isang Mabalacat o isang San Fernando o isang Porac kung kanya kanya,” he added.

Romero cited the need to regulate the transport sector and discipline the jitney drivers and even the passengers themselves.

“We should have loading and unloading bay for busses and jeepney to solve traffic congestion.”

Both the drivers and passengers who will violate the loading and unloading system will be fined, according to the businessman.

“Let us prepare our place now because the present administration is looking at Clark as one of the gateways. We will regret it if this comes and we are not prepared,” Romero said.