7 The Philippines
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTIONDevelopment momentum across the Phil-
ippines has been on the upswing as the
country’s top property fi rms, fueled by the
infrastructure boom brought on by Presi-
dent Rodrigo Duterte’s clarion call to “Build,
Build, Build,” expand their presence into sec-
ondary markets outside the greater Metro
Manila area.
Among the leading conglomerates rais-
ing the stakes is Udenna Group, which
recently acquired a 177-hectare prime prop-
erty development within the Clark Freeport
Zone in Mabalacat, Pampanga. Touted as
the “new center of business, life and innova-
tion” in the Philippines, Clark Global City is
master-planned to be a thriving community
that off ers local and international companies
an alternative business and innovation cor-
ridor outside the capital with its escalating
problems of traffi c and congestion.
Currently most fi nancial institutions and
multinationals are located within the lead-
ing central business districts of Makati and
Bonifacio Global City, but Wilfredo Placino,
president of Clark Global City, emphasizes
the “critical need to redirect development
eff orts away from such CBDs as growth pains
are negatively impacting business opera-
tions and productivity.” Earlier this year, the
Japan International Cooperation Agency
released estimates that Manila’s worsening
traffic is costing the capital PHP3.5 billion
(US$65.5 million) in lost opportunities daily.
Clark Global City seeks to alleviate such
issues. It is strategically located in Central
Luzon, an hour away from Metro Manila but
still within close proximity to the aggressive
road expansion and big-ticket infrastructure
projects of the government, including Clark
International Airport, the PNR North Railway,
the Subic-Clark Cargo Railway Project, New
Clark City and the North and South Luzon
Expressway Connector Road.
There are two fully leased, world-class
offi ce buildings in its West Aeropark—with
three more already under construction—and
a 173-bed hospital under The Medical City
brand. While these alone make Clark Global
City the ideal location for the country’s next
CBD, Placino dishes out a vital impetus to
attract both investors and the country’s
talented workforce to the innovation hub:avoiding Metro Manila’s urban development
mistakes.
“As individuals and companies are being
driven out of Manila due to lack of space and
incentives, expensive real estate and dete-
riorating quality of life, we’re ensuring that
such impediments are addressed early on,”
Placino says.
Developed with sustainability in mind,
Clark Global City will feature prime office
buildings, upmarket retail clusters, leading
academic and sports centers, an urban
park, an iconic tower, and a hotel and
casino—all topped off with modern support
services and lifestyle amenities. Among
the inspirations for the master plan are
thriving cities such as Chicago, Hong Kong,
Korea’s aerotropolis city of Songdo and the
progressive city of Dubai.
“The possibility of a better future is a key
aspect that attracts employees and compa-
nies to such cities. When it comes to inno-
vation, Clark Global City is focused on areas
that improve business effi ciency and quality
of life for those who live and work within it,”
Placino says.Powered by the country’s infrastructure boom, the rm behind Clark Global City is taking the lead in
expanding development and innovation outside the crowded Philippine capital.UDENNA GROUP:
STRIKING WHILE THE IRON IS HOT
Aeropark Building within Clark Global City