PAMPANGA, Philippines -- The Clark Development Corporation (CDC), through its Environmental Permits Division EPD), successfully conducted the first-ever Eco Study Tour: "Discover the Green Side of Clark" on October 13, 2025.
This activity highlights CDC's continued commitment to environmental awareness and sustainable development in the Clark Freeport Zone (CFZ) and Clark Special Economic Zone (CSEZ).
The activity aimed to enhance environmental awareness and appreciation of CDC's sustainability programs among its employees.
It also marks the eco-tourism initiative of EPD that will promote the CFZ as a model for green and sustainable living, similar to Singapore.
The program further supports eco study tours that integrates learning with conservation/preservation and sustainability practices and recreation.
The Eco Study Tour commenced with safety briefing from Engr. Romeo Galang, EPD Building Safety Officer, followed by an overview of the activity and facilities to be visited delivered by Engr. Erwin C. Bognot, Manager and Mayflor R. Candelaria, Assistant Manager of the EPD, respectively.
The participants then visited the Clark Water Corporation (CWC) Wastewater Treatment Facility, where they were welcomed by Engr. Mark Franklin Manalang PhD, the Used Water Operations Head, who provided insights into responsible wastewater management and their compliance with the existing environmental laws. He also provided a walkthrough of the existing WTP process flow and operations.
Assistant Manager Candelaria discussed the WTF support of the seven United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), emphasizing how CWC supports global efforts toward clean water, responsible consumption, protecting the environment, sustainable cities and communities.
It provided the participants to think together with Ms. Candelaria on how the facility contributes to the UN SDGs.
In closing Ms. Candelaria emphasized that that the CWC WTF is more than an engineering system -- it is real world example of sustainability in action.
By supporting SDGs 3, 6,11, 12 13, 14, and 15, CWC and CDC together are showing how responsible infrastructure protects people, communities and nature.
The study tour continued at the CDC EPD Eco Park, guided by Senior Parks and Ecosystem Management Officer L.Ar. Melvin Flor Nabong and Parks Maintenance Supervisor Angelo Tiotuico. Participants learned about the eco-park's vital role in biodiversity conservation.
The Eco Park project is envisioned as a dedicated space for cultivating ornamental plants to support CDC's in-house landscaping needs while promoting sustainable environmental practices. Key features will include an edible landscaping area, composting facility, plant propagation section, and solar-powered lighting, all designed to demonstrate renewable energy and resource efficiency. Once fully operational, the park will serve as an educational and interactive hub where visitors can learn about sustainable landscaping, urban gardening, and environmental stewardship.
Participants were also introduced to wood identification techniques using magnifying lenses to examine cross-sections of various wood samples and visited the proposed xylarium (wood collection) within the park.
The activity concluded with a Tree Walking Tour at Clark Parade Grounds led by Forester Tiotuico, allowing employees to explore and recognize or identify native tree species and appreciate Clark's natural environment. One of the highlights of this segment was the use of the Illustrated Tree Map Guide, an informative designed booklet featuring the tree species found within the Clark Parade Grounds illustrated and rendered by LAr. Melvin Flor Nabong, which serves as his lasting legacy to CDC.
The CDC Eco Tour is envisioned to become part of the corporation's future tourism activities, attracting not only CDC employees but also other people to experience the Green side of Clark.
CDC EPD also welcomes potential partners who wish to support and collaborate in promoting best environmental practices (BEP) using best available technologies (BAT), including but not limited clean energy projects, composting technologies, and other sustainability innovations, geared towards building a greener, cleaner, and more sustainable Clark. /cb