Clark Freeport Zone
Clark Freeport Zone is located Mabalacat City in the province of Pampanga, about 100kms north of Manila. The area is a redevelopment of the former US Air Force base in the Philippines. Being a former military base, the area has modern infrastructure facilities, generous fiscal and non-fiscal incentives, professional support services and other amenities.
Today, Clark forms the hub for business, industry, aviation, education, and tourism in the Philippines as well as a leisure, fitness, entertainment and gaming center of Central Luzon (source: Wikipedia). The GGLC (Global Gateway Logistics City) development, a Kuwaiti funded project in Clark, is the first aerotropolis in the Philippines, and is also the biggest infrastructure project ever in the Philippines. The project culminates in the construction of a number of different facilities including a hospital, residential housing, warehouses, manufacturing facilities, hotels, retail outlets, restaurants, convention centres and offices – virtually a whole new city.
Aside from what I have mentioned, as far as a tourist destination, there isn’t really that much to see or do in Clark however, one of the main features, being a former US Air Base, is that it does have an international airport, in which the GGLC development is centred around. Further to this, there is planning in place for a high speed railway system that will connect the airport, to Metro Manila, once the additional two terminals have been built by 2025. If you were planning to visit some of the more northern attractions of Luzon, such as the Banaue Rice Terraces, Subic Bay, Biak Na Bato or Mt. Pinatubo, then flying into Clark is a very viable option depending on where you coming from.
One of the main tourist attractions in Clark is the annual Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta, which is held every Valentines weekend. This event has evolved into the longest-running sports aviation event in Asia and attracts thousands of people from all over the world. There are a number of activities including kite flying, aerobatic exhibitions, sky diving, paragliding, microlight and ultralight flying plus much more.
If you are into golf, Mimosa Golf and Country Club is a world class 36-hole golf resort that is well worth a visit. Set against the foothills of the Cabusilan Mountains, featuring Mt. Pinatubo, the scenery is spectacular. With 125 Mediterranean inspired, luxurious villas, and six restaurants, this is a fantastic retreat for a relaxing weekend away from the big smoke of Manila, or a central base if you are planning to explore other parts of northern and central Luzon.
The annual Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta is growing in popularity and is a spectacular sight with hundreds of hot air balloons scattered across the sky. Thousands of people flock from all around the world to take part in this unique event.
Mimosa Golf and Country Club is a challenging course, particularly since its recent redevelopment. With over 5,000 mature trees on the entire estate, there is plenty of wood to hit!
Mt. Pinatubo, lurking quietly in the background of Clark, was responsible for the second-largest volcanic eruption of the 20th century. Time will tell if it erupts again.
Global Gateway Logistics City is a state of the art development and the only aero tripolis in the Philippines. One of the main purposes of the development is to ease the strain placed on Manila’s infrastructure by providing alternate means for business and leisure.
