The Clark Development Corp. (CDC) has renewed its partnership with PLDT Clarktel Inc., reinforcing the digital infrastructure that supports one of the country’s fastest-growing investment hubs as competition among economic zones increasingly hinges on technology and connectivity.
The agreement, signed on June 10 at the Clark Visitors Center, ensures the continued delivery of critical digital services across the Clark Freeport, including enterprise connectivity, communications systems, internet services, and productivity platforms such as Microsoft 365.
The move comes as Clark’s economic footprint continues to expand. The Freeport now hosts more than 1,200 locator firms and supports over 150,000 workers, making reliable digital systems as essential as roads, power, and transport infrastructure in sustaining business operations.
CDC president and chief executive officer Agnes VST Devanadera said digital readiness has become a key pillar of Clark’s long-term growth strategy.
“Clark’s continued growth depends not only on physical infrastructure, but also on systems and partnerships that ensure operations remain reliable and responsive,” she said.
The renewed partnership highlights a broader shift in the investment landscape, where economic zones are increasingly judged not only by their location and incentives but also by the quality of their digital ecosystems.
As businesses adopt cloud-based operations, data-driven processes, and hybrid work arrangements, uninterrupted connectivity has become a critical factor in investment decisions.
For PLDT Clarktel, which has served as part of Clark’s telecommunications backbone since 1997, the agreement underscores the need for technology platforms to evolve alongside the growing requirements of businesses and government agencies.
“Digital infrastructure is no longer a support service—it is a core business requirement,” PLDT Clarktel president and CEO Javier Lagdameo said.
The renewed collaboration positions Clark to better accommodate future investments while strengthening operational resilience, cybersecurity, and service efficiency—factors increasingly viewed as indispensable to maintaining the Freeport’s status as a premier business and logistics hub in Central Luzon.
