CLARK FREEPORT — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. on October 15 inaugurated the $80‑million United Parcel Service (UPS) Clark International Air Hub at the Clark Civil Aviation Complex, a facility designed to strengthen logistics and create jobs outside Metro Manila.

The 30,000‑square‑meter hub can process 46,000 packages daily, with a maximum capacity of 15,000 per hour. Nearly 600 jobs are expected to be generated, while service expands across 1,100 global trade lanes.

CDC President and CEO Atty. Agnes VST Devanadera joined Trade Secretary Maria Cristina Aldeguer – Roque, Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez, Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) officials, UPS executives, and private‑sector partners in welcoming the investment.

In his keynote, President Marcos stressed logistics as critical for an archipelagic nation:
“This is the role of logistics. It connects our communities, sustains our businesses, and brings opportunities closer to the people. And, especially, during calamities, the timely delivery of essential supplies becomes even more critical,” he said.

The President cited challenges in the sector, including congested ports, inadequate road networks, and high logistics costs — up to 27 percent against sales, among the highest in Southeast Asia. He said the new hub contributes to improving efficiency, with innovations such as electric ground service vehicles and UPS Premier, a specialized service for healthcare and pharmaceutical shipments requiring sensor‑based tracking and cold‑chain reliability.

Marcos also pointed to Clark’s role in broader infrastructure plans, including the proposed Subic‑Clark‑Manila‑Batangas Railway and the Supply Chain and Logistics Center established by DTI. He emphasized the importance of timely completion of projects:
“When an investor promises a project, it is our job to ensure it opens on schedule. This one certainly did.”

As the country prepares for the effects of Super El Niño, the President underscored logistics in ensuring the timely movement of food and basic commodities to help prevent supply disruptions and ease pressure on prices.

CDC, as estate manager of Clark Freeport Zone, reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining an environment conducive to business and investment, recognizing the potential of major developments such as the UPS hub to generate employment opportunities, support locators, and contribute to the broader economic growth of Central Luzon.

Cebu Pacific (PSE: CEB) has become the first carrier to use bridge mounted equipment (BME) at Clark International Airport (CRK), expanding its push for more sustainable ground operations.

Since October 2026, CEB has been using BME installed by CRK operator Luzon International Premiere Airport Development Corporation (LIPAD). The system supplies electricity and cooled air directly to aircraft parked at the gate, reducing the need to run jet fuel-powered auxiliary power units (APUs).

By drawing on airport-supplied power and cooling, aircraft use less fuel while parked, which helps lower emissions and noise during ground operations.

“Cebu Pacific fully supports Clark International Airport’s APU OFF initiatives as part of our commitment to more sustainable operations. By reducing our reliance on onboard power generation while aircraft are parked, we can help lower fuel consumption and emissions. We are proud to be the first airline to use this airport facility at Clark,” said Lei Apostol, CEB vice president for customer service operations.

LIPAD noted that the BME installation is part of its sustainability efforts to reduce fuel use, emissions, and noise at the airport.

“The operation of our new Bridge Mounted Equipment (BME) is inline with CRK’s commitment to a more sustainable operations and help our airline partners reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions. We are grateful for Cebu Pacific’s support for this initiative,” said Noel Manankil, President and CEO of LIPAD.

The move follows CEB’s adoption of BME in Cebu in 2024, where it was also the first carrier to use the equipment. The airline has also deployed electric ground support equipment (GSE), ground power unit (GPU) and air-cooling units (ACU) at Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), which helps reduce emissions compared and reliance on the aircraft’s APU when on the ground.

Through these efforts, CEB continues to work with airport partners to improve ground operations and reduce their environmental impact.

CEB operates 35 domestic and 26 international destinations across Asia, Australia, and the Middle East.