CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga, Philippines – Developments in resorts and tourist attractions in Central Luzon are under way after President Benigno S. Aquino gave the go-signal to make the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) in Clark as the “next international gateway.”

Department of Tourism (DoT) Region 3 Director Ronaldo Tiotuico disclosed Wednesday that his office has been checking hotels, resorts, travel agencies, and tourist sites in the region in preparation of the projected improvements in DMIA.

“We need to be at par with the changes in the airport. We need to be ready,” Tiotuico said.

Just last week Transportation Secretary Mar Roxas said the government was considering selling Ninoy Aquino International Airport’s (NAIA) Terminal 1, which is valued at about $2.5 billion, to raise money to develop the Clark Freeport Zone.

Tiotuico said over 700,000 tourists are expected this year in Central Luzon, pouring in an estimated P602 million and beating last year’s figure of P516 million.

He suggested that the provinces in the region create more attractive festivals and intensify the upkeep of their heritage sites.

Tiotuico said some provinces like Bulacan must focus on developing historical landmarks while Clark and Subic Bay Freeport Zone must concentrate on leisure activities.

He proposed to the provincial government tour packages which include visits in Bulacan’s heritage and eco-tourism sites.

“Bulacan is the cradle of noble heroes, the holy land of history. Included in the tour packages is a destination in each town which will be visited by students and tourists,” he said.

Bulacan Governor Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado said he also supports the setting up of local museums in the province’s 21 towns and three cities to highlight its rich culture.

Meanwhile, several investors from Korea, Japan, China, US and other Asian countries are keen on developing world-class hotels and restaurants in Clark, according to Angelo Lopez Jr., manager of Clark Development Corporation (CDC) Public Media Relations Office.

Lopez said the investors predict that an improved DMIA would attract business and tourism and sports to the region.

He said CDC President Felipe Antonio B. Remollo and Governor Lilia Pineda signed a lease agreement to build a market inside Clark that would showcase and sell local agricultural and cottage-industry products.

Remollo said the CDC has allotted a 20,337-square-meter area along C.M. Recto Avenue and B. Fernando and Panday Pira streets for the provincial government’s livelihood project, which has an initial investment of P5 million.

Pineda said the “Market, market” project aims to promote the various products offered by the province’s agricultural and cottage-industry sector.

She said fresh and low-priced vegetables and other agricultural products will be sold in the market.

“Market, market” will also feature internationally known products like Christmas lanterns from San Fernando City, pottery from Sto. Tomas town, sculpture and furniture from Betis, and guitars from San Antonio in Guagua town.