13/11/2025
PRESS RELEASE | CDC Cited as Strategic Trade Champion
MAKATI CITY — Clark Development Corporation (CDC) was recognized as one of the champions of strategic trade facilitation during the 10th anniversary of the Strategic Trade Management Act (STMA), held on November 13, 2025, at the Fairmont Hotel here.
The award was presented by Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin, a former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and Trade Undersecretary Allan Gepty of the Department of Trade and Industry’s International Trade Group. The recognition was conferred during the culminating ceremony of Strategic Trade Management Week 2025, organized by the DTI’s Strategic Trade Management Office (STMO).
CDC President and CEO Atty. Agnes VST Devanadera received the award on behalf of the corporation, which was cited for its role in “enabling secure, timely, and transparent trade flows” within the Clark Freeport Zone. The citation highlights CDC’s efforts to balance regulatory compliance with economic efficiency in support of national security and investor confidence.
Themed “Secure Trade, Unlock Global Opportunities,”the three-day event gathered representatives from government, industry, and civil society to reaffirm the Philippines’ commitment to responsible, rules-based trade.
In his keynote address, Executive Secretary Bersamin emphasized the country’s leadership role in ASEAN, particularly in view of the Philippines’ upcoming chairmanship of the regional bloc in 2026.
“As the ASEAN chair, the Philippines will not simply participate. We will lead,” Bersamin said, citing the importance of a whole-of-nation approach to strategic trade governance.
He called for strengthened collaboration between government agencies and private sector stakeholders to address trade diversion, encourage innovation, and uphold global security standards.
CDC’s participation in public-private coordination was further reflected in the November 12 panel discussion moderated by CDC Vice President for Business Development and Business Enhancement Atty. Noelle Meneses. The session focused on joint approaches to enhancing compliance and resilience in response to evolving trade risks.
Also present at the awarding were Senior Trade Specialists Robin Flores and Judy Ann Cabarle, Trade Analyst I John Paul Relevo, and Communications Division Manager Astrud Aguinaldo. Flores and Cabarle are members of DTI-STMO’s Subcommittee on Trade Facilitation, representing CDC’s engagement in national policy development.
The Strategic Trade Management Act, enacted in 2015, regulates the cross-border movement of strategic goods, items with potential military or civilian applications and aligns with international non-proliferation regimes.
CDC’s recognition affirms Clark Freeport Zone’s role in advancing strategic trade objectives and contributing to the Philippines’ position as a secure and competitive trade hub.
(CDC Photos)
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