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CLARK |
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Some 70km north of Manila, CLARK , formerly the site of an American
air base, is popular with visitors for its proximity to the volcanic
mountains of Pinatubo and Arayat . In 1991, Clark Air Base became the
subject of one of the hottest political debates ever to rage in the
Philippines. Many Filipinos, enjoying an era of new nationalism in the
wake of the downfall of the Marcos regime, saw no reason for the
Philippines, however poor, to depend on the world's greatest superpower
for its defence. Senators agreed and voted to end the US Air Force's
lease on Clark Air Base. America's undignified departure from the
Philippines was hastened somewhat by the catastrophic eruption of Mount
Pinatubo, which showered the base in ash. The greatest concern over the
withdrawal of 20,000 US air force personnel from the area was the
potentially devastating effect it might have on the economy. A decision
was taken to turn the base - which is roughly as big as Singapore - into
a special economic zone (SEZ) with incentives for companies setting up
shop there. The scheme has been a qualified success, with 156 national
and international companies taking up the offer. Plans to open a new
international airport and high-speed railway links with Manila are,
however, like many things in the Philippines, taking a long time to come
to fruition.
Inside the former base, there are a number of (expensive) golf courses,
one hotel and a few restaurants. The area alongside the base, including
Field's Avenue and Don Juico Avenue, is famous for another legacy of the
American tenancy, go-go bars. Prostitution is rife in these bars, with
many male visitors flying in from Europe for one thing only. Besides
climbing mounts Pinatubo and Arayat, there are an increasing number of
other activities in and around Clark, including mountain biking,
trekking, microlight flying and parachuting. The Tropical Asia Parachute
Center at 940 Field's Avenue has been operating at Clark since 1996 and
does courses for US$240. For details of a trial microlight flight with
an instructor, call the Lite-Flite Flying Club (tel 045/599 2120). A
flight over Mount Pinatubo's lower slopes costs P600
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