CLARK FREEPORT — A world-class museum facility highlighting the natural and cultural heritage of Central Luzon, including the rich history of Clark, will soon be developed at this Freeport. This comes after the ceremonial signing of a Deed of Usufruct between the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) and the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) on February 1 at the National Museum of Fine Arts in Metro Manila.
CDC President and CEO Atty. Agnes VST Devandera signed the deed with NMP Chairperson Andoni Mendieta Aboitiz and Deputy Director-General for Museums Jorell M. Legaspi.
Witnessing the signing and extending support for the project are former NMP Chairperson and current Philippine Ambassador to Austria Evangelina Lourdes Arroyo-Bernas; NMP Director II for Visayas National Museum Atty. Maria Cecilia U. Tirol; and, CDC Officer-in-Charge for Business Development and Business Enhancement Group Atty. Noelle Mina Meneses.
The former Clark Airbase Hospital, 5.2 hectares in area, and the 1.3-hectare former Eldorado property were identified as the official sites for the NMP’s proposed regional museum and satellite office.
The CDC Board of Directors, headed by Chairman Atty. Edgardo Pamintuan, earlier approved the use of the said areas for 50 years, extendable for another 25 years.
In a statement, Aboitiz expressed elation over the project, mentioning that the NMP is optimistic the facility will boost tourism in the Clark Freeport and the region.
“We are very happy and excited about this project because this will be a new venue for us to expand in Central Luzon. The site is a very historical building. It will give us a lot of space, and for that, we are very grateful. We would like to see this as a destination where people drive to Clark to see what the National Museum has to offer. For us, the success of this project, apart from its development, is also for tourism,” he said.
Devanadera, meanwhile, said the project is a welcome development for the Freeport as it complements CDC’s vision for Clark.
“Clark is very lucky that it has been chosen as the new home of the National Museum. It will not just be a museum but will also be home to the National Museum’s back office, warehouse as well as the Planetarium. The architectural framework of the old Clark hospital goes well with the plan of the National Museum and we can say that this is going to be one of the grandest things that will happen in Clark,” she pointed out.
Aside from showcasing the region’s history, arts and culture, the National Museum in Clark is also set to feature natural history, anthropology and archaeology. It will also include educational, cultural, scientific, entertainment and tourism activities.
Concurrently, the facility will serve as an off-site location for NMP’s central offices, national collection repositories, research, training, technical and logistical operations, among others. (CDC-CD)
