NTC gives nod to Clark, Subic phone interconnection

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has given the go-ahead signal to an initiative to interconnect the two telephone systems operating in Clark and Subic Freeports, saying the interconnection “are within NTC existing rules and regulations.”

The go-ahead signal is contained in a letter sent by NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba to Clark Development Corp.’s Angelo “Sonny” Lopez Jr. in response to the latter’s query on the legality of such interconnection.

Lopez, through the Metro Clark Advisory Council (MCAC), has requested a certificate or clearance showing that the proposed interconnection of phone lines has not violated NTC rules and regulations.

The MCAC has been pushing for the interconnection of Clark and Subic phone lines following the success of the interconnection of Clark phone lines with other telecommunications providers in Pampanga.

CDC President Benigno Ricafort, Lopez, PLDT Clark manager Lito Mercado, PEP TV President Dennis Uy and Cabinet Secretary Edgardo Pamintuan have been the forerunners of the interconnection project which has been cited by President Arroyo.

In December 2008, President Arroyo bestowed an award to Clark officials led by CDC’s Ricafort for the telecommunications interconnection project that was one of the top winners of the 1st Gawad Pampublikong Korporasyon (1st GPK).

Ricafort said the CDC’s winning entry was conceived in 2001 and aims to interconnect Clark’s telephone lines with those in Angeles City and the City of San Fernando, as well as other areas in the province of Pampanga.

He said that the interconnection project was an initiative of the MCAC – an influential partnership group between the CDC and contingent local government units within the Metro Clark area.

Lopez said the project paved the way for phone companies like the PLDT, Smart Telecommunications and Digitel to provide toll-free call to its subscribers in Clark abd the rest of Pampanga.

Lopez, who heads MCAC secretariat, said the residents, locators and investors inside the Clark Freeport are now saving at least 13.2 million yearly on long distance calls because of the project.

“The CDC alone was saved as much as P1.2 million per year since this project was implemented,” he said.

--Daily Tribune

Interconnection of phone lines in Subic, Clark backed

CLARK FREEPORT -- The Angeles City council has endorsed a proposal for the interconnection of phone lines along the Subic-Clark growth corridor in a resolution unanimously approved by its members last Tuesday.

In the resolution sponsored by Councilors Jesus "Jay" Sangil and Ruben Maniago, the members of the city council stated they are "endorsing the move of the Metro Clark Advisory Council (MCAC) to press for the immediate interconnection of telecommunications facilities in Clark Freeport Zone with those in Tarlac and Zambales."

"It would definitely fast-track business undertakings and greatly minimize costs to local residents," Sangil said, referring to the MCAC-initiated project which was earlier lauded by President Arroyo. Sangil likewise called on other officials of local government units (LGUs) situated along the Subic-Clark corridor to support the move, saying this will attract investors and provide jobs for the people.

"I am urging our counterparts in government in the cities, towns along the SCTEx to follow suit and support the same as it will invite investors and eventually create employment for our constituents," Sangil said.

In the resolution, the city council stated that the "Clark Freeport and the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Growth Corridor are foreseen as one of the world’s major economic hubs and catalysts for development, hence a major employment generator in North Philippines."

Also, "the development and improvement of infrastructure facilities, including the establishment of state-of-the art telecommunications facilities in the Metro Clark Area (Clark FZ, Pampanga and Tarlac) enhance the viability of the Metro Clark area as a choice investment destination."

The city council noted the importance of providing interconnected telephone exchanges, saying it "is vital in minimizing costs to investors and their clientele that includes government offices."

"Interconnecting telephone exchanges in Metro Clark Area is in keeping with the integration policy of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) in which long distance and other toll charges are waived," the resolution also said.

"The general welfare clause of the Local Government Code, among other provisions, obliges us to support moves of major employment generators," it further stated.

In December 2008, President Arroyo bestowed an award on Clark officials led by Clark Development Corp. (CDC) President Benigno N. Ricafort for the telecommunications interconnection project that was one of the top 10 winners in the 1st Gawad Pampublikong Korporasyon (1st GPK).

Ricafort said CDC’s winning entry, which was conceived in 2001, aims to interconnect Clark’s telephone lines to Angeles City and the City of San Fernando, as well as other areas in Pampanga.

He said that the interconnection project was an initiative of the MCAC, "an influential partnership group between the CDC and contingent LGUs within Metro Clark." By FRED ROXAS - Manila Bulletin

Cyber City Teleservices,

Cyber City Teleservices, Inc. is paving the way in corporate citizenry among Clark locators.

Aside from already spending huge amount of money in sponsoring and training Philippine delegation to the annual Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) World Cup in the past years, it is now helping form a SIFE groups among local schools in Pampanga and Angles City.

This came about as Cyber City chief operating officer Almerita Leung -- a Capampangan herself -- noticed that local schools have not participated in past SIFE regional or national rounds.

I had the chance to cover SIFE World Cup in New York City last year where Cyber City Senior EVP George Sorio was one of the judges. From what I witnessed I could tell how students from around the world can bring about change in their respective communities through outreach or livelihood programs.

SIFE establishes student teams on university campuses. Faculty advisors lead these teams, and they are challenged to develop community outreach projects that reach SIFE's five educational topics: Market Economics, Success Skills, Entrepreneurship, Financial Literacy, and Business Ethics.

Congratulations Cyber City. You are doing a great job in making today's youth more aware of their social responsibilities.

Clark BPO firm secures tax incentives

NCO Philippines Clark Inc., an information and communication technology company has bagged tax incentives and other perks from the Board of Investments (BOI), the agency said Wednesday.

The firm’s project involves the establishment of a 340-seat contact center facility with total investment of P150 million at the Philexcel Business Park, Clark Freeport in Pampanga.

The investment covers the Information Technology equipment, leasehold, furniture and fixtures and pre-operating expenses and working capital. This new contact center will generate 425 job opportunities at full capacity.

NCO said the facility will provide services like technical support, customer support, directory assistance, and outbound credit and collections.

“The computed investment cost per seat is $3,364 [excluding working capital at P44 to a dollar], which complies with the Board of the Investments minimum requirement of $2,500 cost per seat for call-center projects,” the company said in its application letter to the BOI.

The company’s market includes US outsourcing companies like AT&T, Aegon, Citicorp, Microsoft and Amazon.
--Katrina Mennen A. Valdez - Manila Times