MALACAÑANG sees no reason to block Pampanga Rep. Carmelo Lazatin’s proposal to have a Disneyland at Clark Freeport. This developed as deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said that President Benigno Aquino III had said at an energy summit that if a project is reasonable, then there is “no reason why we should not look into it.”
Valte added there is no reason to block the idea, as she pointed out that is “reasonable” owing to its multiplier impact on our economy, tourism and employment.
“That has to be studied. We get the general idea. It will bring in business and promote tourism, may multiplier effect ang ganoong project (but) we have to study it first,” she said on government-run dzRB radio.
Valte reiterated that the President had earlier said that there is no reason not to look into a proposal if it is reasonable.
Earlier reports said Pampanga (1st District) Rep. Carmelo Lazatin is pushing to have a Disneyland theme park at Clark Freeport.
Lazatin has also asked the Department of Tourism to support his bid. He stressed that a Disneyland at Clark Freeport would boost tourism and increase government revenues.
Lazatin has written Robert Iger, chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company based in Burbank, California, USA, to ask him to consider Clark for their next Walt Disney park, saying that Clark’s 4,400- hectare main zone and 27,600-hectare subzone will be the best place for a new Disneyland.
“Aside from the huge space it provides, the Clark Freeport Zone can be an attractive destination for Disneyland theme park because of the tax-free privileges given to locators,” said Lazatin in a letter dated April 11.
Lazatin also cited Clark International Airport, world-class airport which is expected to serve at least P1.6 million passengers this year.
“The airport will be making it easier for tourists to enjoy the amenities and entertainment Disneyland is famous for without the hassles of long travels,” he said.
Lazatin added that hotel accommodations will not be a problem as Clark has the best hotels in its roster where visitors can enjoy the hospitality Filipinos are known for.
The Pampanga solon stressed that the Philippines is a favorite tourist destination in Southeast Asia, with an average arrival of four million foreign visitors a year and for 2012, the government is eyeing to hit the 5-million mark.
“Together with our population of more than 90 million Filipinos, a Disneyland theme park in the Philippines could be a major income-generating site for your company,” he said.
Disneyland theme parks are the highest-earning theme parks in the world.
In 2009, the company’s theme parks hosted approximately 119.1 million guests, making Disney Parks the world’s most visited theme park company, ahead of the second most visited, British rival Merlin Entertainments.
In Asia, Disneyland theme parks are located in Hong Kong, Tokyo (Japan), and Shanghai (China).
-source
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