(The Philippine Star) | Updated February 16, 2015 
MANILA, Philippines - The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) is planning to bid out development rights for three parcels of land covering at least 200 hectares each in the Clark Green City this year. 

BCDA president and chief executive officer Arnel Paciano Casanova said the agency is ready to start the bidding for some parts of the Clark Green City after naming AECOM as the winner of the design competition for the township’s conceptual master development plan.

The Clark Green City which covers over 9,000 hectares located within the Clark Special Economic Zone in Pampanga and Tarlac, is intended to be developed into the country’s first green and smart metropolis and as an ideal investment destination. 

The first phase of the development will cover 1,300 hectares, to be sub-divided into several plots of land covering 200 to 300 hectares each, to allow many parties to participate in the project.

Casanova said the plan is to enter into a joint venture with one developer for each parcel of land, with 55 percent to be accounted for by the private firm while the minority stake to be taken by the BCDA under a 99-year agreement.

“As a policy, BCDA will always take a minority stake. We will be there to nurture partner, take on political risks associated to the project and give freehand to the private sector to push the development forward,” he said. 
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The first of the three parcels of land to be offered this year, will be rolled out within the month. 

Casanova said the BCDA is set to present the terms of reference for the first parcel located in the municipality of Capas in Tarlac, to its board for approval on Feb. 18, and upon securing the green light, publish such the following day.

The first parcel is intended to be developed into a mixed use property.

“We are opening it to everyone, the first 200 to 300 hectares. Whether you’re a local or international investor, you can bid on the first parcel,” Casanova said. 

The BCDA is also currently in discussions with four foreign multinationals involved in industrial estate development and mixed use development which have expressed interest to develop parts of the Clark Green City, Casanova said. 

He declined to name the foreign firms but noted that they have a presence in Asia, US, and Europe.

Aside from the four foreign firms, the BCDA has earlier entered into a memorandum of understanding with Al Ahli Holding Group, a conglomerate from the United Arab Emirates, to come up with a final memorandum of agreement covering the development of tourism-related projects in the Clark Green City.

Casanova said several local property developers have also written to the BCDA expressing interest to participate in the project. 

The Clark Green City is expected to attract several firms given major infrastructure developments in the area such as the upgrade of the Clark Airport as well as the integration of tollways Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, North Luzon Expressway and Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway.  

Created by RA 7227, the BCDA is mandated to transform former US military bases into alternative productive civilian use.

Source: philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines—State-owned Bases Conversion and Development Authority [BCDA] on Tuesday said it will start to bid out 1,300 hectares out of the 9,450 hectares of the Clark Green City by the third quarter of the year.

“We are now preparing the Terms of Reference (TOR) and once finalized, we hope to start the process for the first phase by the third quarter,” BCDA President and Chief Executive Officer Arnel Paciano Casanova said in a statement.

The Clark Green City is being groomed as the country’s first green and smart metropolis. “It will change for the better the way Filipinos live, the way Filipinos do business, and even the way Filipinos spend their leisure time,” he said.

Based on the Clark Green City District Plan, the new city will have five districts namely: the government district; central business district; academic district, agri-forestry research and development district; and the wellness and eco-tourism district.

Casanova said the BCDA is targeting real estate developers, industrial park builders, township builders, and institutional developers among the investors for the first phase of Clark Green City. He added that the 1,300 hectares will be divided into several lots/packages.

Last week, President Benigno Aquino III approved the master development plan and the development of the first phase of the Clark Green City during the National Economic and Development Authority Board meeting.

Part of the first phase is to bring in the critical mass by locating institutions such as schools, government offices and hospitals. The University of the Philippines is Clark Green City’s first locator.

Casanova said Clark Green City is an opportunity for a 100 percent foreign-owned company to invest in urban development in the Philippines since the entire area is a special economic zone.

Casanova added that international firms investing in Clark Green City will further accelerate Foreign Direct Investments.

An estimated P59 billion is seen to be the cost for the development of the first phase that will be shouldered mainly by international and local private sector proponents.

The Clark Green City is seen to contribute approximately P1.57 trillion per year to the economy and will generate 925,000 jobs once at full development.

Casanova also said that it will play a crucial role in increasing the country’s competitiveness, especially when the economic integration of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations is implemented.

“It will open up the region to global trade and investments owing to the world-class infrastructure that is already within reach like the Clark International Airport, the Subic Bay Seaport and the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway,” he said.

The BCDA is tasked to transform former US military bases into economic zones. Some of its big projects are Fort Bonifacio and  Villamor Air Base, which are now known as Bonifacio Global City and Newport City, respectively.

Since 1992, the BCDA has generated P60.21 billion from disposition of former camps. Of these, P25.36 billion has been remitted to the National Treasury for the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Source: http://business.inquirer.net
PHOTO: RAPPLER

CLARK FREEPORT -- The Department of Tourism (DOT) in Central Luzon has announced the schedule of two separate hot air balloon festivals in Clark and Lubao town this year.

DOT Central Luzon Director Ronnie Tiotuico said the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta is set on February 12 to 15 here.

The other event -- Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Festival -- was scheduled on March 26 to 29 in Lubao town, according to Tiotuico.

“Both are pet projects of the Department of Tourism,” he said.

“The biggest international and most colorful twin events to watch out for early 2015, one in Clark and another in Lubao Pampanga,” he added.

The event will include balloon flights (fly in and fly out cum night glow), air sporting events like aerobatics, flag jump/sky diving, balloon bursting, paragliding, aero modeling, wakeboarding, local tours, among others.

Tiotuico said that more than 200,000 spectators are expected to attend two events. “Attention tour operators, leisure parks, museum, hotels, restaurants, health and wellness centers and events' organizers.”

“Some 200,000 spectators are looking for other activities after the two events. We need activities and offers like special buffet lunch, early bird discounts on rooms, free shuttle, cultural shows and others,” he said.

Other suggested activities include visit to Nayong Pilipino Clark, Paradise Ranch/Zoocobia Fun Zoo, Dinosaur Island, El Kabayo Riding Stables, Clark Museum/History Tour, Clark Nature Park, Fontana Water Park, Philippine Air Force Park, Ocean Adventure, Pamulaklakin Forest Trail, Tree Top Adventure, Zoobic Zafari, JEST Camp, Pawikan Conservation Center, Balanga Nature and Wetland Park, Mount Samat Shrine, Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, Blessed John Paul II Memorial Shrine, White Rock resort, Puning Hot Spring, and Mount Pinatubo trek, among others. (Sun.Star Pampanga/Sunnex)

Reference: sunstar.com.ph

MANILA - Hot air balloons are set to dot the Pampanga landscape on the second week of February, giving families and couples one more option to consider for their Valentine's Day plans.

The 19th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta, otherwise called "The Weekend Where Everything Flies," will be held from February 12 to 15 at the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga.

Aside from the giant hot air balloons, the festival will also feature other activities such as paragliding, skydiving, an air acrobatics show, a series of concerts, and a "fly market" -- a gathering of food concessionaires and local merchandisers.

Tickets are P300 per head, according to the event's official website. There will also be VIP tickets, which are P6,000 each, that entitles the bearer access to an an exclusive enclave within the balloon launch area.

Last year, over 30 hot air balloons from 15 countries graced the festival.

According to the organizers, the four-day festival started off as a passion project that has now evolved into the longest-running sports aviation event in Asia.

The event's longtime objective, as written on the website, is to instill discipline in participating young pilots so they can develop into safe aviators, as well as to impart a spirit volunteerism and cooperation to the whole community.

Reference: abs-cbnnews.com

PORAC - With the ground breaking ceremony Monday of the Alviera Industrial Park - Ayala Land's first master planned estate in Central Luzon in partnership with Leonio Land Holdings – it is expected that this will jumpstart the economic activities here and will generate as much as 5,000 new jobs soon as it begins its first phase of development.

Governor Lilia Pineda said Pampanga is lucky and happy that Ayala Land Incorporated and Leonio Land Holdings chose to invest here in Porac.

"This is a manifestation that the Province of Pampanga is really ready for further development," Pineda said.

Porac Mayor Condralito Dela Cruz said they are thankful that Porac has been chosen by Ayala Land and Leonio Land in putting an investment of P75-billion and added that it will surely put the town to speedy economic development and be one of the progressive towns in Central Luzon.

The Alviera Industrial Park is part of the multi-billion peso ($1.68 billion) investment of property giant Ayala Land Incorporated, transforming Alviera – a 1,100-hectare master planned township development in Central Luzon for over a 20-year period.

The property is envisioned to catapult Porac as the new growth center of Central Luzon and a major hub for commercial and business activity with its strategic location and seamless accessibility via North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) and Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx).

The Alviera Industrial Park is just 5 minutes away from Clark Airport, 45 minutes from Subic Freeport and 20 minutes from Angeles City and the City of San Fernando.It is also just 1.5 hours away from Quezon City.

Dela Cruz said the Alviera Industrial Park will cover 30-hectares right from the entrance of the development site and added that they look forward to its successful completion.

“The industrial park will offer locators the opportunity to purchase, and not just lease, industrial lots. Standard factory buildings (SFBs) will also be available for lease,” he said.

He noted that local businesses with products for export have already expressed interest in locating to the Alviera Industrial Park.

“We hope to attract international manufacturers in light industries as well, perhaps from Korea and Taiwan,” he said.

The Alviera Industrial Park, which is registered with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority, has received strong interests from local manufacturers with export products, as well as Taiwanese and Korean manufacturers.
This will initially offer 16 lots at 1 to 1.5 hectares in size and will be sold to non-polluting light industries at P15,000 ($336.90) per square meter.

The groundbreaking ceremony held in Barangay Hacienda Dolores was also graced by Philippine Economic Zone Authority Deputy Director General Tereso Panga and executives of Leonio Land Holdings – Chairman Leonardo Leonio, Managing Director Clarissa Leonio – Asuncion, Directors Carlo Leonio, Claire Leonio –Guiyab, Ayala Land executives headed by president and CEO Bobby Dy, Senior Vice President Meann Dy, Vice President Rowena Tomeldan, Vice-Mayor Dexter David, Hacienda Dolores Barangay Chairman Rosendo Pineda and council members. (Joel P. Mapiles/Pampanga PIO)

 Reference : sunstar.com.ph

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) is supporting the construction of a P7.2 billion low-cost carrier terminal in Clark, Pampanga.

Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) president and CEO Emigdio Tanjuatco III assured the development of the Clark International Airport is on track.

"We fully support the development of Clark Airport. In fact, the DOTC had already infused an initial P 1.2 billion for the construction of our new Low Cost Carrier Passenger Terminal Building... The fact that this project is up for bidding this year is proof that government is serious in developing Clark Airport," Tanjuatco said in a statement.

He said there is no competition between Clark airport and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, since Clark caters to passengers living in northern Luzon, while NAIA services the southern region.

Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya noted the new LCC passenger terminal is designed to accommodate at least 15 million passengers annually.

"We tapped the services of Aeroports de Paris for the feasibility study not only of the terminal but also other facilities at the aviation complex," Abaya said.

While the proposed Sangley International Airport is still under study, the DOTC chief said the government is focused on the aggressive development of both NAIA and Clark.

Earlier, Tanjuatco said he is working to convince Emirates and AirAsia Zest to return to Clark airport, as well as other airlines.

At present, air carriers such as Dragonair, Asiana Airlines, Cebu Pacific, Seair, Qatar Airways, Tigerair, Jin Air, and Air Asia Berhad operate from Clark. 


Reference:  abs-cbnnews.com

CLARK FREEPORT -- A top official of the Global Gateway Development Corporation (GGDC) revealed on Wednesday that The Medical City Clark (TMCC) will be completed and will open on December 8 this year.

GGDC president and chief executive officer Mark Williams said, "The Medical City is actually going forward, despite of what you're hearing in the press. It will open as scheduled."

The main contractor of the hospital made a commitment to finish the project on time.

"Last week, the contractor which doing the hospital, SC Megaworld reiterated their commitment to us directly that this hospital will be finished on time," Williams said.

Williams issued the statement during Wednesday's forum "Talk Widus" organized by the Pampanga Press Club.

"We are accelerating the development and putting on the finishing touches in TMCC and we are committed to December 2014 as the opening date to the public," Williams said.

The GGDC official said they are asserting operational control over the 177-hectare Global Gateway Logistics City (GGLC).

"As of last Thursday, we are on the site. We have 30 to 45 hectares fully rehabilitated," Williams said.

Police reportedly ordered Herstal Security, the security firm hired by Peregrine Development International Incorporated (Peregrine), to allow GGDC officers and contractors to have access to the project site and continue works on the project.

This, after the Court of Appeals issued a 60-day temporary restraining order against Peregrine and a directive by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) in Angeles City.

"The TRO issued by the CA effectively affirmed GGDC's rights as owner of the GGLC project to hire contractors of its choice," Williams said.

GGDC was originally founded by The Port Fund, a private equity fund managed by the KGL Investment Company composed mostly of investors from government entities in Kuwait and other GCC countries.

GGDC has invested over $100 million in GGLC, which is considered a major development project conceived by the Philippine government and designed by best Filipino architects and urban planners, according to Williams.

Its completion will result to more than 300,000 jobs and annual payroll of $600 million, he said.

“Very soon, we are starting the construction of five buildings adjacent to TMCC with about 10 to 12 floors each. We have earmarked another $150 million for these buildings and we envision finishing them by end of 2015,” Williams said.

Williams also reiterated their company’s commitment to create an investment area and provide employment to thousands of Filipinos.

“We are here to create jobs and not to engage in court battles,” Williams said.

GGDC forged an agreement with the Clark International Airport Corporation for a 50-year lease agreement.

Reference : sunstar.com.ph

CLARK FREEPORT -- The construction of a P2.5 billion high-end water theme park, which is expected to spur development in localities around the Freeport, has started.

Presidential Political Adviser Ronald Llamas, Clark Development Corporation (CDC) President Arthur P. Tugade, Congressman Joseller "Yeng" Guiao and Mabalacat Mayor Marino "Boking" Morales led the groundbreaking ceremony on Saturday.

Former Angeles City Councilor Ireneo "Bong" Alvaro, president of the BB International Leisure and Resort Development Corporation, said the world-class water theme park (first phase of the project) will be completed in three years.

PAMPANGA. Dr. Irineo G. Alvaro (L), president of BB International (BBI) Leisure and Resort Development Corp., BBI owners Jack Yang and Tony Huang, National Security Adviser Sec. Ronald Llamas, 1st District Rep. Joseller ‘Yeng’ Guiao, Mabalacat City Mayor Marino Morales, CDC president Arturo Tugade, Paul Aquino, Mayor Feliciano, Angeles City chief of staff Alex Cauguiran, CDC directors Francis Elum, Manolo Feliciano and CIAC VP Rey Catacutan lead the groundbreaking of a soon-to-rise P2.5-billion water theme park at the Clark Freeport Zone. (Chris Navarro)
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BB International, proponent of the project, is owned by a Taiwanese group led by Jack Yam and Tony Wang.

During his speech, Alvaro made an assurance that the firm will employ Aetas and locals based on their skills.

He also vowed to implement livelihood programs that will help tribal communities at Sitio Haduan (near the Clark Gate 14) in Mabalacat City and other parts of the Clark subzone.

Tugade vowed support to the project and at the same time lauded BB International executives for considering hiring Aetas.

He said the world-class tourism estate will compete with that of Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia.

According to Tugade, the contract forged by the company and CDC stipulates that Aetas and persons with disabilities should be hired in the leisure and resort facility.

“It is embedded in the contract na dalawang klase ang iha-hire nila, mga katutubo at PWDs,” Tugade said.

Tugade added that he instructed the CDC community services department to provide a hollow block-making machine for the Bamban Aeta Tribal Association (Bata) and Mabalacat Tribal Association (Mata).

Aetas will be trained on making blocks, according to him.

Tugade said he and Alvaro agreed that the first 100 blocks which will be used in the water theme park will be bought from the Mata and Bata.

“This is to show the commitment of the company to the welfare and employment wishes of the katutubo,” he said.

Morales thanked the BB International, saying the project will enhance development and growth in Mabalacat City which covers Clark Freeport.

The mayor assured that the local government will fully support the project.

Reference:  sunstar.com.ph