US Envoy Visited Clark

NEWS DATE: 2010-06-19

CLARKFIELD, PAMPANGA  - In a recent visit made by the newly installed US envoy to the Philippines, Ambassador Harry Thomas, Jr.  the Honorable Mayor Boking Morales was to meet him at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 18, 2010 at the Clark Cemetery but the latter did not make it due to conflict of schedules and instead was  represented by Mr. Rogelio C. Tanglao, his Municipal Budget Officer, accompanied by Mr. Ghuy “Indra” Hilbero, acting Tourism Officer and Ms. Josephine M. Basilio, Head of the Special Action Center of the municipality.

The diplomat’s visit was in response to the request of US Veterans of Foreign War (VFW) in the town advocating for the immediate rehabilitation of Clark cemetery to reinforce its historical significance and to give an update report regarding the development of Global Gateway Logistic City being developed by Peregrine and other development concerns at Clarkfield which was a former American Air Force Base.

The mayor’s message to ambassador Thomas was conveyed by Tanglao saying “Mr. Ambassador, it is with sincere apology that the good mayor could not make it.   He wishes to welcome you personally but his schedules would not permit him to do so and will surely miss this very rare opportunity.”  Tanglao and the US envoy exchanged gifts as a token of friendship and appreciation for his visit to Mabalacat.

In a seperate interview to Tanglao, he said that "about 93% of the former air force base is within the territorial jurisdiction of Mabalacat contrary to what has been perceived that the whole Clark was in Angeles City".  He further stated that "the 93% which is within the political boundaries of Mabalacat is the developed areas, that is why the 2% tax from the gross income earned (GIE) by the locators is being collected by the municipality as provided in R.A. 7227, known as the Bases Conversion Act as amended by R.A. 9400.

                The good emissary was briefed in his visit by Mr. Dennis Wright, President of the Peregrine, accompanied by Larry Heilhecker, Administrator and past VFW Commander and Jim Mallot, Commander of VFW Pacific Department who is in the town for the VFW Pacific Department 44^th Annual Convention.