DHSUD to develop townships in Clark

THE DEPARTMENT of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) is eyeing to establish townships within Clark in Pampanga.

In a news release Wednesday, the DHSUD said it has discussed with Clark Development Corporation the establishment of townships within the vicinities of Clark Special Economic Zone (CSEZ) and the Clark Freeport Zone (CFZ) under the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino (4PH) program.

“Napakalaki po ng potential ng Clark (Clark has a huge potential) in terms of location and infrastructure. It’s very ideal for our concept of township development under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s flagship 4PH Program,” DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar said.

“By developing townships in Clark, we will be bringing in population. Mas maraming tao, mas mabilis ang asenso (With more people, development would be quicker),” he added.

Acuzar said the project would provide shelters to workers and locators, thus addressing homelessness; expanding development outside Metro Manila to resolve massive urbanization; establishment of new green and smart cities; and creating communities to trigger economic activities.

Citing the presence of an international airport, hotels, hospitals, schools and other modern infrastructures inside Clark, Acuzar said it has the "ingredients of an ideal new and modern city”.

However, it lacks local populace to trigger economic activities in the area, he said.

Following the discussion, two sites were shown to DHSUD technical officers for consideration for possible partnership in undertaking housing projects in Clark.

“Hindi lang po natin maiibsan ang problema sa pabahay, kundi maka-aambag po tayo ng malaki sa ekonomiya ng bansa kapag na-maximize natin ang potential ng Clark (We will not only solve the housing problem, but also contribute to the economy once the Clark's potential is maximized)," he said. (Ma. Teresa Montemayor)