Press Release
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — The Clark Development Corp. (CDC) is pushing for greater participation of Pampanga businesses in the supply chains of companies operating inside the Clark Freeport as investment activity accelerates under the Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC).
CDC President and CEO Agnes VST Devanadera said integrating local enterprises into Clark’s expanding investment ecosystem would help spread the benefits of economic growth beyond the Freeport.
“The Luzon Economic Corridor becomes meaningful only when Pampanga businesses are included in the value chain,” Devanadera said during the 85th General Membership Meeting of the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (PamCham), attended by more than 150 entrepreneurs and business leaders.
According to CDC figures presented during the meeting, Clark currently hosts 1,295 locators generating 151,593 direct jobs, with P372 billion in actual investments.
Devanadera said the CDC and PamCham are working to map the capabilities of Pampanga enterprises and identify opportunities to match local businesses with the requirements of investors operating in Clark.
She noted that Clark locators are already grouped according to industry sectors, providing a basis for identifying potential local suppliers.
The CDC chief, however, said local enterprises must also meet the standards required by multinational companies, which often assess not only the quality of finished products but also the processes and inputs used in production.
Devanadera encouraged Pampanga businesses to upgrade their capabilities and invest in skills development as competition intensifies.
“Even those in the food industry must prepare for more competition,” she said.
She also emphasized the broader economic impact of increasing local procurement by Clark-based companies.
“When we buy local, we generate employment outside and growth becomes inclusive,” Devanadera said.
The CDC chief urged Pampanga enterprises to identify their areas of strength and position themselves as potential suppliers to Clark locators.
“Our advocacy is for Pampanga businesses to identify their niche and be part of the supply chain,” she said.