Korean firm breaks ground for $200-M tourism estate

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga, Philippines — The Korean firm Donggwang Clark Corp. (DCC) has broken ground for a $200-million project that will develop a hilly 304-hectare area here into a tourism, recreational and leisure estate that will include a 36-hole golf course.

DCC chairman Lee Shin Kun said the area will encompass not only the golf course, but also a clubhouse, a condominium building with 330 rooms, a water park, a spa and gymnasium, an “eco park” , a business center, a branch of Brent international school, a golf academy and driving range, a clinic and drug store, a hotel, a casino, 500 units of villas and a shopping arcade.

“The leisure community project will increase tourism and economic activities in the region and to provide employment and job creation during construction and operation phases of the project,” Lee said.

The ground breaking rite was witnessed by Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, Clark Development Corp. president Felipe Remollo and other executives of DCC and CDC, as well as Mabalacat Mayor Marino Morales and City of San Fernando Mayor Oscar Rodriguez.

Phase one of the project is expected to be finished within 30 months. It will consist of the 36-hole golf course, the club house, the international school and the 100 units of villas.

Phase two will include the condominium with 330 rooms, the water park and an additional 300 units of villas.

 Lee also said the third phase comprises the hotel with 300 rooms, the eco park, a casino, a shopping arcade, 100 more units of villas and other amenities for tourists.

Lee said the entire tourism estate project of DCC isexpected to be completed by the year 2016 and would employ more than 2,000 workers.