Central Luzon’s accessibility to three international airports, expanding infrastructure facilities, and the highly-anticipated New Clark City has made it a prime investment destination in the Philippines. All these possibilities and more will be discussed in a two-part investment forum  of the Central Luzon Expo, set on Oct. 17 and 18 at the ASEAN Convention Center in Clark Freeport Zone.

Present during the media launch of Central Luzon Expo were Governor Susan Yap of Tarlac and Ms. Judith Angeles, Regional Director of Department of Trade and Industry

With theme “Central Luzon: Opportunities. Progress. The Future,” the CLExpo investment forum will highlight “In Focus: The Central Luzon Provinces” on Oct. 17, 2-5 p.m., and “Zooming In: The Central Luzon Business Climate,” on Oct. 18.

Gov. Susan Yap shares details about the upcoming expo which will showcase crafts, tourism and more of different cities in Central Luzon. 

“In Focus: The Central Luzon Provinces” will feature the governors of the seven provinces: Gerardo A. Noveras for Aurora, Albert S. Garcia for Bataan, Daniel R. Fernando for Bulacan, Aurelio M. Umali for Nueva Ecija, Dennis G. Pineda for Pampanga, Susan A. Yap for Tarlac, and Hermogenes E. Ebdane, Jr. for Zambales.

“Zooming In: The Central Luzon Business Climate” set on Oct 18 starting at 9 a.m, will feature Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – Competitiveness and Innovation Group Undersecretary Rafaelita M. Aldaba opening the talks to discuss “Doing Business and Investing in Central Luzon: Opportunities, Challenges, & Prospects.” A panel discussion on “Central Luzon as a Major Tourism Hub of the Country: Taking a Second Serious Look at the Prospects, Opportunities and Challenges” will have Tourism Undersec. Benito Bengzonas keynote speaker, and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) administrator Atty. Wilma Eisma, Clark Development Corporation president & CEO Noel Manankil, and DOT-3 regional director Carolina de Guzman-Uy as panelists.

P/Col. Jonas Amparo, chief of the Regional Operations Division of police Regional Office 3, and AFP Northern Luzon Command commander Major General Ramiro Manuel Rey will tackle “Are Your Investments and Business Safe?: The Peace, Order and Security Outlook of Central Luzon” (11:25 a.m. to 12:20 nn). Bases Conversion and Development Authority president and CEO Vivencio B. Dizon and Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority COO PocholoJoselitoParagas will then discuss “Private Enterprise and Government: A Situationer on the Public-Private Sector Relationship in Central Luzon and how to maximize gains and Opportunities” (1:30 to 2:30 p.m.).

Wrapping up the forum are Maria Angela S. Garcia Luzon, Cluster vice president of the League of Municipalities, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Region 3 regional director NenucaTangonan “Outsourcing Business Opportunities from LGUs and the Barangays Toward Greater Inclusion.”

Ms. Judith Angeles also shared important details about the upcoming expo and how people will enjoy each city of Central Luzon with this activity. 

Behind this pioneering project is the Central Luzon Growth Corridor Foundation, Inc. (CLGCFI), in cooperation with the DTI – Region 3 (DTI-3). Rendering their support to the event are the DOT, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Transportation (DOTr), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB), Clark Development Corporation (CDC), SBMA, BCDA, Subic Clark Alliance for Development (SCAD) and the Board of Investments (BOI).

The Central Luzon Expo is organized by the Philippine Exhibitions and Trade Corporation (PETCO). For other details including registration, you may contact the CLGCFI Secretariat at (+6345) 6259291 or email at clgcfi@yahoo.com , or the CL Expo Secretariat-PETCO at  +632 8329303 to 05, or email at secretariat.clgcfi@gmail.com.