The national government and the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) are jointly intensifying efforts to promote the Clark-Subic corridor as an international hub in the region. "We are optimistic that our goal for the Clark-Subic corridor will be realized."

This is the future for Clark," President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo told reporters during the formal launch of UPS’ expanded intra-Asia hub here on Monday. Arroyo cited efforts being undertaken to realize this vision, particularly the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway project (SCTEP) which broke ground this week, and the entry of budget airline services at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA).

Malaysian carrier Air Asia Berhad has started flying to Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu from DMIA. Tiger Airlines of Singapore has also began operations. On the other hand, the SCTEP, a key component of the ten-point agenda of President Arroyo, will link the growth centers of Region III to provide easy access to Subic's international container port facility and the international cargo/passenger airport facility here to boost industrial activities that will catalyze growth of the entire Central Luzon.

The expressway is expected to provide the shortest, most direct access to the four prime ecozones in the area: Subic Bay Freeport and Special Economic Zone, Bataan Techno Park in Morong, Bataan, the Clark Special Economic Zone and the Central Techno Park at the Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac. For its part, CDC said it is developing more infrastructure and facilities in Clark, including airline servicing maintenance.

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