CDC honors FVR, cites contribution to Clark development
CLARK FREEPORT ZONE — Clark Development Corporation (CDC) President and CEO Manuel R. Gaerlan led CDC officers and employees in paying tribute to former President Fidel V. Ramos (FVR) who passed away over the weekend.
After the flag ceremony, Gaerlan requested for a minute of silence and ordered the flag to be flown at half-mast in honor of his passing.
Gaerlan, a former Police Brigadier General who served as FVR’s aide-de-camp, said “President Ramos was the major catalyst for nation-building during his term in 1992-1998. Under his leadership, CDC was established after he signed EO No. 80 in 1993”.
“Executive Order No. 80 created CDC as the implementing arm of BCDA (Bases Conversion and Development Authority) in this Freeport. He will forever be remembered as a lead advocate in promoting economic development in the country,” he added.
On a personal note, Gaerlan expressed his sympathy to the Ramos family during this very difficult time.
“Ang CDC, kasama ng buong Gaerlan family, ay lubos na nalulungkot sa pagkawala ng dating Pangulong Fidel V. Ramos. The lessons I learned from him when I served as his aide-de-camp and security officer guided me in my career in the PNP and in Clark as CEO. He is truly an inspirational leader,” the CDC chief said.
For his part, CDC Chairman Atty. Edgardo D. Pamintuan conveyed his condolences in a statement posted on his Facebook page where he also acknowledged FVR’s efforts to transform the Clark Freeport into what it is now.
“Fidel V. Ramos made it possible for the cities, towns and provinces surrounding the former Clark Air Force Base to recover from the devastating effects of the Pinatubo eruption and the lahar flows. From a desolate piece of land, Clark is now a Philippine Freeport and special economic zone generating roughly 120,000 jobs and has contributed billion of pesos in revenues to the national coffers,” Pamintuan stated.
“We owe FVR for the creation of CDC, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and Camp John Hay that turned these former American bases into industrial estates and Freeport zones. He saw the economic possibilities from converting these lands to generate investments, jobs and livelihood for many Filipinos,” he added.
In March 2021, CDC officials passed a resolution recognizing the role and contributions of FVR in the development and growth of the Clark Freeport and its international airport. The resolution initiated by Gaerlan recognized FVR as the Father of CDC.
It was also Ramos who issued Executive Order No. 174 in 1994 that designated the then Clark Special Economic Zone as the future site of a premier international airport upon completion and development of the aviation complex.
It tasked the BCDA and CDC to undertake the development of the aviation complex in conformity with the provisions of Republic Act 7227 or the Bases Conversion Act of 1992 issued by the late former President Corazon Aquino.
FVR’s declaration of Clark being the site of a premier international airport has been the basis of the development of the Clark International Airport (CRK) that has been undertaken by the Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) the creation of which was proposed in EO 174. The CIAC was established in February 1995.
The FVR declaration tasked BCDA and CDC to “implement the phased development of the Clark Aviation Complex together with its expressway and rail access systems” have been the focus of the still ongoing development of the Clark Civil Aviation Complex. (CDC-CD with reports from JOJO C. DUE)
