CLARK FREEPORT—In about five years, the Phase 1 of a luxury mountain resort, which includes an 18-hole championship golf course and a clubhouse, will be completed at the New Clark City (NCC).
This developed after the agreement for the construction of a P12-billion luxury mountain resort at the NCC was signed by the Widus Group and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) at the Clark Marriott Hotel here last Friday.
Aside from the Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course, Phase 1 will also include the development of the Angsana Hotel and the Banyan Tree Hotel—a leading global hospitality group that is rooted in the ethos of sustainability—“Embracing the Environment, Empowering People”—for sustainable tourism development.
The development of Phase 1 will have a total investment of P5 billion and is set for completion within five years.
The agreement was signed between Daesik Han, president and CEO of Hann Development Corp., a member of the Widus Consortium, and Vince Dizon, president and CEO of BCDA.
“All of this development that has taken place during the recent one or two years is much more than the previous decade,” Han said.
“And I’ve witnessed how sincere this government is to bring these infrastructure projects, so it is very logical to look for business opportunities,” he added.
“When I heard about the vision of Vince and how he plans to develop New Clark City, I was thinking will there be any opportunity for another business, and that is the time I started studying his vision for New Clark City,” he said.
The Widus Group is owner and developer of the Widus Hotel & Casino and the Clark Marriott Hotel here. Under the agreement, Widus will lease 450 hectares of land within NCC with an investment commitment of P12 billion.
The luxury mountain resort will be located in the southernmost portion of NCC.
Phase 2 includes the development of Westin and Luxury Collection by Marriott, two 18-hole championship golf courses, outdoor recreation facilities, premium villas and residences, a mixed-use commercial center, and a 10-hectare public park for a total investment of P7 billion.
“We’re fortunate to partner with the Widus Group for this new leisure attraction as they share with us the vision for New Clark City to be green, resilient and sustainable,” Dizon said.
“Part of the agreement is the use of nature and Filipino-inspired architecture for the luxury mountain resort to showcase local culture and tradition which the Hann Group is known for,” he added.
Located 100 kilometers north of Metro Manila, NCC is a 9,450-hectare development envisioned to decongest the capital. It will feature smart technologies and mixed-use developments including a world-class government center, sports hub for national athletes, and educational centers.
Phase 1A of NCC is 99-percent completed and houses the new Athletics Stadium and Aquatics Center which are ready for this year’s 30th Southeast Asian Games.