CLARK FREEPORT—The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) has embarked on a road-show series to bring the most ambitious infrastructure-development plan of the national government under the “Build, Build, Build” mantra of the Duterte administration.
On Thursday newly appointed BCDA President and CEO Vivencio Dizon faced various Clark stakeholders for the first time at the Royce Hotel here, where he presented the development projects for Clark, starting with the so called Clark Green City (CGC), the Subic-Clark train service and the expanded terminal of the Clark International Airport (CIA), among others.
Dizon described the various infrastructure projects as the most ambitious in Philippine history.
Among the big-ticket projects, he said, include the expanded terminal of the CIA, where the International Finance Corp. of the World Bank was engaged in order to be guided on what is best and viable. “ The new terminal will tendered out by middle of next year and then the groundbreaking will also be done by the second half of next year,” Dizon said.
He said the feasibility study for the Subic-Clark train is now being done in coordination with the Department of Transportation (DOTr), along with the Manila-Clark rail project.
The CGC, he said, will be pursued aggressively starting with the 15-kilometer four-lane expressway, which will also have a train in the median, as well as pedestrian and bicycle lanes that will connect the airport to the CGC.
Overall, the BCDA said the event highlights discussion on the Clark Infrastructure Development Plan in pursuit of regional development as anchored in President Duterte’s 10-point socioeconomic agenda, which gives premium to inclusive growth and infrastructure development.
Among those present were Gov. Susan Yap and Mayors Jon Feliciano of Bamban and Rey Catacutan of Capas, and Rep. Noel Villanueva, all from Tarlac; and Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Rep. Carmelo Lazatin II; Mayors Marino Morales of Mabalacat, Carling de la Cruz of Porac; Provincial Board Members Fritzie Dizon, Rosve Henson and Tonton Torres, all of Pampanga.
Also present were Rep. Mark Go of Baguio City and the first transgender politician, Rep. Geraldine Roman of Bataan.
Heads of the BCDA, Clark Development Corp. (CDC) and the Clark International Airport Corp.(CIAC) and their top executives were also on hand, who shared with key stakeholders of the zone, big-ticket infrastructure projects in mass urban transport and alternative green city solutions.
The BCDA said these key infrastructure projects are envisioned to propel the Clark Freeport and special economic zone to achieve its full potential assuring inclusive growth for Central Luzon, which is already an important haven for employment and investments in the country.
Other projects that were featured were several infrastructure projects that have been lined up in the 9,450-hectare CGC, touted as the country’s first smart, green and disaster-resilient city meant to decongest main urban centers.
These projects include the development of transport systems, government center, agro-industrial park, food-processing terminal and international food market, energy management system and integrated care development center.
A Manifesto of Support for Build, Build, Build—the government’s infrastructure development plan for the next six years—was later signed by key officials of the zone specifically local government leaders from provinces and municipalities in Pampanga and Tarlac, including the mayors, governors and representatives of the first to the third districts of Pampanga.
Regional directors of the National Economic Development Authority, departments of Trade and Industry, Public Works and Highways, and the Interior and Local Government; the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples and the Philippine Information Agency; chairmen and board members of the CDC and CIAC; as well as other stakeholders from the region attended the road show.
The BCDA said it will hold a series of road shows to harness the collective efforts of stakeholders for the achievement of the President’s vision of development for the country. This is in line with the drive to achieve bold solutions through fast action in accordance with the principle of transparency.
The Duterte administration sees increased infrastructure spending as key to move the country forward and improve the lives of the Filipino people by generating massive investments, creating millions of jobs and reducing the prices of commodities.