What is SCAD? It’s the Subic-Clark Alliance for Development, the government agency tasked to enable the integrated and sustainable development of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Corridor.
Working silently and without fanfare but delivering the desired results, the Subic Clark Alliance for Development (SCAD) is a council or immediate structure under the Office of the President which is tasked to coordinate and provide assistance to ramp up trade and investments in the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Corridor.
Last Nov. 29, the Subic Clark Alliance for Development Council convened in Manila to discuss the latest developments being undertaken by each member agency as well as other projects that are still in the pipeline as they align towards building and strengthening greater partnerships in the future.
The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and Clark Development Corp. (CDC) are among the major components of SCAD, as the geographical area in which the council operates is basically Central Luzon.
Other agencies of government and the private sector involved in SCAD as partners are the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan, Bases Conversion and Development Authority, Clark International Airport Corporation, Clark Investors and Locators Association, Freeport Area of Bataan Investors and Locators Association, Subic Bay Taiwan Chamber of Commerce and the PCCI-Province of Tarlac, and the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) North Luzon.
In fulfilling its official functions, the SCAD also engages with other national agencies and departments such as the National Economic Development Authority, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Trade and Industry and Board of Investments, and the Department of Agriculture.
Recent activities
Just recently, the SCAD with its Executive Director, Atty. Carminda Z. Fabros, welcomed newly appointed president and CEO of Clark International Airport Corp., Arrey A. Perez, and discussed how best the council can work with him in the further development and growth of commercial aviation at Clark.
The SCAD and the Industry Development and Trade Policy Department of the DTI also partnered with the SCAD in conducting a briefing-seminar about “Leveraging on Free Trade Agreements” held at the Clark Freeport Zone.
The activity was conducted to provide more assistance to investors in the Subic-Clark-Tarlac corridor.
During the briefing, Assistant Secretary Atty. Allan Gepty shared important information and recent developments in the field of investments and public policy. Fabros said “it was a timely briefing that resulted in agreements to continuously engage in discussions to assist the National Government in strengthening the country’s engagements under the existing free trade and preferential trade agreements.”
AmCham Forum
Last Nov. 24, the SCAD and the American Chamber of Commerce North Luzon conducted the Procurement and Logistics Forum at the Quest Hotel in Clark Freeport Zone.
The forum was most useful because locators in the Freeport zones were able to access directly the suppliers who have the capacity to supply raw materials and services needed by the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries (SEIs) with the Freeports.
The forum was able to contribute to developing the supply chain for such industries as an initial step towards developing the supply chain also for other sectors.
Speakers at the forum were Acting Director Reynaldo Lignes of the Manufacturing Industries Service of the DTI-BOI and Ms. Mary Rose Siobal, procurement manager at Texas Instruments (Phils.) Inc. who discussed Supplier Development Program for MSMEs.
Caring for the environment
The SCAD organized a meeting of the Sacobia River Watershed Coordinating Body (SRWCB) to determine ways to combat El Nino which is expected to start this month and well into the new year, 2024.
Engr. Rogelio Magat, chairman of SRWCB, provided an overview of what the agency has done to prepare for the coming drought and other weather disturbances.
Ms. Jillian Princess Bathan of DENR Region 3 discussed Executive Order No. 22 which created the Water Resources Management Office and how this will function as the principal government agency under the DENR to development, conserve and use the country’s water resources.
Plans for growth
At the recent top leadership meeting of SCAD, both Chairman and Administrator Tan of SBMA and CDC chief executive officer Agnes Devanadera presented their most recent plans and programs for the further growth of their government corporations.
Both officers are hopeful that they would be able to institute reforms in the handling of their locators, including their fight against smuggling, corruption and other illegal activities which had been going on in these freeports even before they assumed their posts. (With a report by Randy V. Datu)
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