About Clark, Freeport Zone

Clark Pampanga was the largest foreign US airbase, complete with its own international airport with daily flights linking it to major cities around Asia. Inside of Clark Philippines are golf courses, casinos, family-styled resorts that smacks of the US suburban lifestyles and fine-dining restaurants. Getting to Clark Philippines is easy not just from capital city Manila Philippines but visitors can fly directly into Clark International Airport. There are a number of locations in the Philippines that are well-kept secrets. These are called special zones, industrial zones, economic zones but the best ones are the Freeport zones. Tax and investment incentives aside (and these will be discussed later in another part of this series) these Freeport zones do not allow outright purchase of land. Long-term leases (25 to 50 years) are offered instead. This does not appeal to local residents. As a result, these Freeport zones are largely inhabited by foreigners who in turn cause the estate to acquire an international look and feel, plus a higher standard of living. Security is very tight in these zones and the infrastructures are much more advanced and integrated than in municipal cities. Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga is one such example. Clark is a mere 60 minutes from Metro Manila along the North Expressway which brings visitors straight into Clark Freeport without going through any city traffic along the way. Complete with its own Clark International Airport DMIA which links Clark to all major cities in Asia, and thus the world, this city is fast replacing Manila as a preferred destination for multi-national companies like Samsung and Texas Instruments. Crime rate is practically negligible and so are pollution levels and traffic problems.

Pampanga’s First Floating Garden

IMAGINE being able to plant crops, rain or shine, without the threat of floodwater or drought. Imagine this possible even in perennially flooded areas like swamps and canals. In a village in the City of San Fernando, villagers need not imagine -- because they live amidst this possibility using the latest farming technology. Barangay Del Pilar has launched the first-ever floating garden in Pampanga using the technology of using water hyacinths as floating rafts for garden and vegetable cultivation. Village chief Pandoy Policarpio said much of the methods they are now using employs technology learned from the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice). Currently, there are at least 200 floating gardens at the almost 2.3-hectare property of the barangay that is constantly flooded by water even during summer. The floating gardens are an innovative farming solution that uses water hyacinth, which is collected to construct a raft and then covered with top soil and organic fertilizer. The gardens are able to withstand flooding and can be planted with palay, vegetables and herbs. “We are very thankful for the help of PhilRice and Pampanga Agricultural College. Now our residents here can avail of the produce of these gardens for free,” Policarpio said. The floating garden sits on a 2.3-hectare property that includes a 330-square meter herbal garden. All produce of the garden are given to the people. The property, which was donated to the barangay, is managed by volunteers who also raise chickens and ducks that are also given to residents for free. “People can come here and take vegetables they need for their meals. We give it to them for free. Indigents can take more but we teach them to be self sufficient and have their own gardens,” Policarpio said. Policarpio added that they aim to improve the garden with the help of PhilRice. PhilRice is a government corporate entity attached to the national agriculture office, the Department of Agriculture that aims at developing high-yielding and cost–reducing technologies so farmers can produce enough rice for all Filipinos. Recently, it has developed a rice variety that will survive even it is submerged underwater. Policarpio said their garden can be a model for other barangays who would like to come up with a healthier project that would benefit their local communities.

Funnside Ningnangan Angeles City

The Famed grill landmark "Funnside Ningnangan" finds home in Angeles City


THE BEST of Sto. Tomas town’s grilled food delights has finally invaded Angeles City with the upcoming opening of the Funnside Ningnangan in Barangay Pulung Maragul a few blocks away from Marquee Mall on July  Funnside Ningnangan has been synonymous with the best grilled food that San Matias, Sto. Tomas is famous for. If Sta. Rita has its turrones de casuy and sansrival, Sasmuan its pulburon, Angeles City its sisig and Bacolor its suman and tamales, Sto. Tomas has grilled food that people from as far as Bulacan and Metro Manila would brave the long travel to Pampanga just to have a taste of. But Funnside Ningnangan offers more with its strong line up of seafood and oriental dishes that are cooked with the fusion of Kapampangan taste in mind. The establishment sits on a 3,200-square meter property and can accommodate large parties and events. The long bamboo-made edifice that the Funnside Ningnangan is famous for is a wonder in itself.  Made by craftsmen from Bacolor, the edifice is a fusion of Kapampangan bamboo art with the traditional “bahay kubo” architecture. “This dining facility is bringing to Angeles City the contemporary and old Kapampangan food culture in Sto. Tomas. We hope to contribute to the culinary attractions of Angeles City After a motorcade signaling its grand opening, customers and food lovers will be able to avail of the best grilled food in town at a 50 percent discount for lunch and dinner on the opening day. Dining at Funnside Ningnangan is a novelty of savoring the alfresco ambiance and the food being cooked right before your very eyes.  Savor the best barbeque orders marinated and cooked the Kapampangan way.  Short orders of seafood, oriental dishes like tempura and steaks are also available side-by-side. Funnside Ningnangan provides that novelty experience of dining in an eclectic ambiance in the company of friends or family.

Visa-free entry prvilege for foreign investors of Subic and Clark

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced that as an added incentive, foreign investors visiting the Freeport zones in the country – Clark, Pampanga and Subic, Zambalez, can avail of the government’s “visa-free” program. An agreement was signed recently by BI Commissioner Marcelino Libanan with Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) administrator Armand Arreza and Clark Development Corp. (CDC) president Benigno Ricafort on the issuance of the visa-free entry privileges to foreign investors who are visiting the two freeports. The agreement signed provides for the officers and personnel of a foreign locator in the two freeports to be allowed to enter and stay in the Philippines without a visa for a period of 14 days. The said privilege however, will be extended only to those who are arriving through the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) or the Subic Bay International Airport (SBIA). “The agreement provides that the foreign locator shall vouch for their officers and personnel coming here and shall notify the SBMA chair of CDC president who shall approve the grant of the visa-free entry privilege,” the Bureau of Immigration said. Together with the “visa-free” entry privilege, officers and personnel of foreign location can also apply with the BI for a landed visa. This visa would allow them to travel to other areas in the Philippines for the purpose of exploring investment opportunities outside the Freeport zones. This privilege being given by the BI for foreign locators of Subic and Clark is part of the agency’s thrust in attracting more tourists and investors in the country. For his part, Arreza agree that this will help attract more foreign investors to do business in Subic and Clark, and other parts of the country. It would also send signal to other foreign investors that the government is serious in courting more foreign investment that will create more jobs and improve the economy of the Philippines.

MOTHERS DAY 2012 PROGRAMS AND PACKAGES IN CLARK, PAMPANGA

Mothers Day falls on Sunday, 13th May, 2012.
Pampanga welcomes you to visit Clark Freeport and treat mom to a relaxing and stress-free weekend here.

The famous lake in Clark Pampanga Philippines

Here are some of the programs, packages and promotions that the leading establishments in Pampanga has put together to help visitors celebrate Mothers Day in Clark Freeport, Philippines.

Mothers Day Overnight Package at Clearwater Resort

Clearwater Resort and Country Club offers special Mothers Day overnight packagesinclusive of all three meals for two on 11th through 13th May, 2012. Several options are available to suit the length of stay required for this celebration. For those who are not planning to stay overnight at this resort, they can celebrate Mothers Day with an alfresco dinner by the lake of Clearwater Resort.

Please click here to contact Clearwater Resort to reserve your package for Mothers Day 2012

Mothers Day Fine Dining at Yats Restaurant

Yats Restaurant and Wine Lounge offers special Mothers Day Dinner, a sumptuous 4-course meal guaranteed to make this year’s Mothers Day a memorable one. Unlike other fine dining establishments that usually raise the price during celebrations, Yats Restaurant has priced this Mothers Day dinner at just php950.

Limited tables available; click here to book your table to celebrate 2012 Mothers Day at Yats Restaurant.

Mothers Day at THE LONDON PUB

Family Resto Bar, THE LONDON PUB offers a special Mothers Day Dinnerfor moms who prefer to celebrate Mothers Day with the family by her side. The London Pub has come up with a special 2012 Mothers Day dinner menu for just php650. Bring mom over to the London Pub and enjoy the English Pub lifestyle for an evening.

Limited tables available; click here to book your table to celebrate 2012 Mothers Day at The London Pub.