The Advertising Congress is all set in Subic, and so is the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX). The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) yesterday ordered its SCTEX interim service provider led by the Tollways Management Corp. (TMC), to outline preparations so SCTEX is ready for the much awaited 21^st Philippine Advertising Congress (PAC) set for November 18–21 this year.

BCDA program manager for operational support services  and spokesperson Robert C. Gervacio said early preparations must be made since more than 5,000 PAC delegates are expected to attend the four-day event and consequently use the country’s longest tollway.

“We want the advertising CEOs and executives to have a seamless travel experience as we have always guaranteed,” Gervacio said.

BCDA’s instructions to TMC came after the signing of the memorandum of agreement between the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and the Ad Congress organizers officially designating Subic as the ad congress venue for this year.

Gervacio said deployment of more traffic enforcers and determination of alternative traffic routes are among the basic steps TMC may undertake to ensure the smooth flow of traffic along the 94-kilometer stretch of the SCTEX.

Though many delegates may book themselves within the SBMA facilities, some may opt to stay in Clark or somewhere else outside Subic.  The participants will likely tour Central Luzon to take advantage of their four-day visit.

“We will soon see these visitors shuttling between SBMA and the rest of Central Luzon’s economic hub and tourist destinations.  Therefore, we want to be prepared,” Gervacio emphasized.

Since storms that bring rains may hit the country until December, the more necessary it is for the BCDA and TMC to prepare, the SCTEX executive added.

The ad congress, which is considered among the biggest events of the year in the region, is expected to draw thousands of local and foreign visitors requiring lots of accommodation and recreational facilities. 

During the 20^th Ad Congress, which was also held in Subic, SBMA experienced full booking of its hotels and similar accommodation facilities.  If such a huge turnout happens again, a big spillover to other parts of Central Luzon near the SCTEX is most likely to happen.