THE Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and its seven subsidiaries have identified several high-priority big-ticket infrastructure projects under its unified master plan, including ports, airports, tollways and railways.
BCDA President and CEO Arnel Paciano Casanova said the projects were divided into six areas: regional development and urban planning; infrastructure, business, tourism; trade and investments; marketing and promotions; social development; and support to armed forces modernization.
“Sound regional development and urban planning, public infrastructure development, human-resource development, corporate social responsibility, and environment protection, shall lay the groundwork and generate the synergy among the Bases Group to collectively accelerate the sustainable and inclusive national development grounded on integrity, transparency and accountability,” Casanova said.
For regional development, the group envisions the Clark Freeport and Special Economic Zone, Poro Point Freeport Zone, the John Hay Special Economic Zone and the Bataan Technology Park to become “beacons of globally competitive and sustainable centers of economic activities that shall ripple and spread throughout their respective regions,” Casanova said.
For infrastructure, it seeks to complete the development of Clark International Airport terminals, including the entire aviation complex. The airport should accommodate 5 million to 7 million passengers by 2015, it said.
The Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) shall take charge of the management, operations, marketing and promotion of the facility to attract investments, tourism and trade.
Meanwhile, the San Fernando Airport within Poro Point will serve as a feeder airport for Clark by 2013. The San Fernando Seaport will also be developed.
Under the supervision of the Department of Transportation and Communications, the Bases Group will complete the railway linkage of Clark airport to Metro Manila by 2018. This linkage will enhance and hasten the development of the airport as an international gateway.
The group will develop the entire Clark Freeport as the fulcrum of Central Luzon development.
Meanwhile, the Clark Development Corp. (CDC) shall develop the business, industry, tourism and leisure markets within the Clark Freeport business and tourism area by 2015. This is to complement Clark International Airport operations.
Clark Freeport, John Hay, the Poro Point and the Bataan Technology Park will be developed as banner components of the Philippine tourism infrastructure by 2014.
The so-called Bases Group consists of the BCDA, CDC, CIAC, John Hay Management Corp., Poro Point Management Corp., North Luzon Railways Corp., Bataan Technology Park Inc., and the BCDA Management and Holdings Inc.
