PNOY LEADS GROUNDBREAKING OF CLARK GREEN CITY

Special Issue on the Clark Green City
VOL. II NO. 01
MARCH-APRIL 2016
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE BASES CONVERSION AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
PNOY LEADS
GROUNDBREAKING OF
CLARK GREEN CITY
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8/1/2016 10:13:35 AM
3-4 In this Issue
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VOL. II NO. 01
MARCH-APRIL 2016
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE BASES CONVERSION AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
PNOY LEADS
GROUNDBREAKING
RITES OF
CLARK GREEN CITY
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Icon:
Capas National Shrine
The Source is a bi-monthly external publication of the
BCDA Group of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority.
MA. AURORA GEOTINA-GARCIA
Chairperson
STAY CONNECTED!
TheBCDAGroup
ATTY. ARNEL PACIANO D. CASANOVA
President and CEO
Editor-in-Chief LEILANI BARLONGAY-MACASAET
Executive Editor ROY VICTOR R. ROSALES
Managing Editor GARRY A. CATIVO
Photographer | Layout Artist GARRY A. CATIVO
Photographer SAMUEL LUKE M. GALIVO
Contributors: CLARK DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
CLARK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT CORPORATION
JOHN HAY MANAGEMENT CORPORATION,
PORO POINT MANAGEMENT CORPORATION
AND SUBIC BAY METROPOLITAN AUTHORITY
Circulation IRAH F. DAVID
Editorial Address: BCDA Corporate Center, 2/F, Bonifacio Technology Center
31st St. cor. 2nd Ave., Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, Philippines
Tel.: (632) 575-1700 Fax: (632) 816-0996 E-mail: bcda@bcda.gov.ph
Website: http://www.bcda.gov.ph
March-April.indd 22
8/1/2016 10:13:38 AM
NEWS
3
By Roy Victor R. Rosales
PNOY leads groundbreaking of
CLARK GREEN CITY
C
APAS, TARLAC—President Benigno S. Aquino III led the groundbreaking
ceremony of the country’s first smart, green and disaster-resilient
metropolis called Clark Green City.
President Aquino was accompanied
by members of his official family that
included Department of Public Works
and Highways (DPWH) Secretary
Rogelio L. Singson and Department
of the Interior and Local Government
(DILG) Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento.
COVER
STORY
On hand to welcome President
Aquino were Bases Conversion and
Development Authority (BCDA)
Chairperson Ma. Aurora Geotina-Garcia,
BCDA President and CEO Arnel Paciano
D. Casanova and various officials of
both the regional and local government
units of Central Luzon. The state-owned
BCDA is in charge of building Clark Green
City.
DPWH Secretary Rogelio M. Singson,
assisted President Aquino who led the
groundbreaking ceremony through the
time capsule laying of the 9,450 hectare
metropolis.
In his speech, President Aquino
underscored Clark Green City as a major
expression of investor confidence as
he cited the gains of his administration
that included the country’s improved
ranking in the World Economic Forum’s
Competitiveness Index, from 85th
in 2010 to 47th in 2015 and by being
unanimously declared investment grade
by the world’s most prominent credit
ratings agencies in 2013.
“Today, we welcome yet another
major expression of that confidence, as
we are breaking ground on one of the
biggest ever joint undertaking between
the government and the private sector,
namely, the Clark Green City. The details
emphasize the scale and ambition of this
project: This economic zone will cover
9,450 hectares and its development will
cost around P607 billion, most of which
will be covered by partners from the
private sector,” Aquino said.
The President also thanked the
partners of government in building Clark
Green City. “We would like to thank all
our partners both in the private sector
in the person of Filinvest today, all the
Japanese agencies JICA and JOIN for
their very active participation to make
this dream a reality.”
continued on page 4
March-April.indd 23
8/1/2016 10:13:38 AM
CLARK GREEN CITY RISING. President Benigno S. Aquino III views the scale model of the 9,450-hectare Clark Green City during the groundbreaking
rites held recently at the Capas, Tarlac section of the Clark Special Economic Zone. Briefing President Aquino is Bases Conversion and Development
Authority (BCDA) President and CEO Arnel Paciano D. Casanova (left). Looking on are BCDA Chairperson Ma. Aurora Geotina-Garcia and DPWH
Secretary Rogelio Singson.
Continued from page 4...PNoy leads groundbreaking
For his part, BCDA President Casanova
said with the groundbreaking ceremony,
it’s now all systems go for the Clark Green
City.
According to Casanova, the
development of the 9,450-hectare Clark
Green City will be in phases. The first
phase that comprises 288 hectares will
be developed by BCDA and its jointventure partner, property developer
giant Filinvest Land Inc. The Filinvest
parcel will have two distinct components:
an industrial zone and a mixed-used
development with residential, office,
commercial and institutional elements.
Casanova pointed out that Clark Green
City is perfectly suited to become a backup government center because it will be
built to be disaster-resilient, taking into
consideration the ill effects of climate
change and other natural disasters.
Clark Green City's favorable geological
conditions make it less vulnerable to
earthquakes. The absence of a fault
line under or within its vicinity makes the
site ideal for long term development.
The city will also be spared from the
damaging effects of super typhoons
since its neighboring mountain ranges:
March-April.indd 24
the Zambales Mountain Range and the
Sierra Madre Mountain Range will serve
as natural barriers. Flooding will also be
remote due to its high elevation.
Casanova also noted that Clark
Green City will showcase the country’s
capability to build a sustainable and
modern city. “The city will adopt smart
and green features like compact walkable
communities with generous open spaces,
bike lanes, mass transportation, smart
utilities, high-bandwidth connectivity,
protected biodiversity, energy efficiency
and urban farming, among others, making
it one of the country’s most livable cities
of the future.”
He added that Clark Green City will be
a community that allows people from all
walks of life to realize their aspirations
in the cusp of inclusive community. “This
is not merely a city for the rich. This is
a city for the poor to be rich. Rich in
knowledge as well as in wealth. Abundant
in compassion, devoid of bigotry and
inequality.”
BCDA Chairperson Ma. Aurora
Geotina-Garcia said Clark Green City
will be a master planned metropolis, to
be built from ground up, incorporating
the best practices in urban planning and
development.
She said Clark Green City will incorporate
a humanist approach to sustainable
development as she noted that the heart
of every city is its people. “The soul of every
city is its people. We must enable every
individual to reach their full potential by
honing their talents and giving them more
opportunities for growth.”
At full development, Clark Green City will
have some 1.12 million residents, 800,000
workers and contribute a gross output of
approximately P1.57 trillion per year to the
national economy or roughly four percent
share in the county’s Gross Domestic
Product (GDP).
Its strategic location and connectivity to
major cities in Central Luzon through the
country’s expressways that include the
North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), SubicClark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), TarlacPangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX)
and soon the Central Luzon Expressway
(CLEX) will allow the convergence from
north, east, south, and west, and serve a
catchment population of some 12 million
people.
Clark Green City will also have a direct link
to the Clark International Airport and is just
an hour’s drive to the Subic Freeport Zone
via the SCTEX.
8/1/2016 10:13:38 AM
NEWS
5
Highlights of the Clark Green City groundbreaking
The BCDA family poses for a group photo with BCDA Board of Directors: (seated from left) Gen Gregorio Pio P Catapang (Ret); Zorayda Amelia C. Alonzo;
President Casanova; Chairman Garcia; and, BMHI President and CEO and BCDA Director Elmar Gomez.
President Casanova (2nd from left) shows the Clark Green City scale model
to (from left) Capas, Tarlac mayoral candidate Reynaldo Catacutan; Clark
International Airport Corporation President and CEO Atty. Emigdio
Tanjuatco III; Clark Development Corporation Chairman Eliseo B. Santiago;
and, BCDA Director Joseph Emile P. Juico.
BCDA Director Alonzo and University of the Philippines (U.P.) President
Alfredo Pascual.
March-April.indd 25
BCDA Board of Directors namely: (from left) Dir. Catapang; Dir. Gomez;
Dir. Alonzo; Chairman Garcia; and, Vice Chairman and President Casanova
with Japan Overseas Infrastructure Investment Corporation for Transport
and Urban Development (JOIN) President and CEO Takuma Hatano.
From right: President Benigno Simeon Aquino III holds the capsule while
Department of Public Works and Highway Secretary Rogelio Singson,
BCDA President Casanova and Chairman Garcia fill it with coins before the
Clark Green City groundbreaking ceremony starts.
8/1/2016 10:13:41 AM
Clark Green City
Groundbreaking Ceremony
Speech of His Excellency Benigno Simeon S. Aquino, III
President of the Republic of the Philippines
11 April 2016, Clark Green City, Capas, Tarlac
Whenever I attend ceremonies like this, I cannot help but
remember an instance from 2009, when I was still considering
whether or not to pursue the Presidency. Back then, I knew that
I would be confronted with a lot of problems, and that—beyond
the ones we already knew of—there were certainly even more
problems that were kept hidden by those in power, which would
swell the already tremendous challenge. I wanted to ask: Why will
the burden of solving these problems be passed on to me, when
I was part of the group that wanted to prevent these problems
from starting to begin with? This particular worry, perhaps, was
eased by a conversation with Mr. Alex Lacson and his group,
because he told me that the expectation of those supporting me
was for me to start the change and end the abuses, and that
they knew that six years would not be enough to correct all of the
problems.
True enough, that became our initial goal when we finally
assumed office. You must remember that, during the early days of
our administration, we really welcomed the end of the work week
because there would be at least a pause to unearthing even more
problems brought about by the misgovernance of my predecessor.
Indeed, the amount of problems threatened to overwhelm us.
Clark Green City is an example of a development that has
approached this problem strategically. It will not be flood prone,
since its lowest elevation is 56 meters above sea level, while its
central park will serve as a flood catchment basin. It also enjoys
natural protection from typhoons, with the Sierra Madre to the
West and the Zambales mountain range to the east.
Even so, through hard work and perseverance, we overcame
them one by one, and we ended up exceeding expectations—
achieving so many things that we once thought impossible.
Truly, as interest in our nation grows—and as markets develop
across the country—projects like this are vital. Along with investing
in our workforce and spending on critical infrastructure projects,
we need to develop viable economic hubs, not just in Metro Manila
or Cebu, but in provinces with high growth potential. And I am
particularly glad that, when I step down in office and have more
quiet time to spend in Tarlac, I can watch over the development of
this city and hopefully with a mayor who is smiling at the successes.
On the economic end of the spectrum alone, there are so many
examples of progress. For instance, our average GDP over 2010 to
2015 was recorded at 6.2 percent, which is our country’s fastest
six-year average growth since the late 1970s. Of course, at that
point in time, there are those that argue we were in the period
of Martial Law, crony capitalism was rampant, and the numbers,
obviously, were not real investments.
We have set record highs in terms of net foreign direct
investments to date. We have made significant strides on several
global rankings of competitiveness, perhaps most prominently
in the World Economic Forum’s Competitiveness Index, where
we went from 85th in 2010 to 47th in 2015. By 2013, we were
also unanimously declared investment grade by the world’s
most prominent credit ratings agencies. In short, we regained
confidence—both confidence in ourselves, and the confidence
of investors here and around the globe. Today, we welcome yet
another major expression of that confidence, as we are breaking
ground on one of the biggest ever joint undertaking between the
government and the private sector, namely, the Clark Green City.
The details emphasize the scale and ambition of this project:
This economic zone will cover 9,450 hectares and its development
will cost around P607 billion, most of which will be covered by
partners from the private sector. Just to give us an idea of the
scale, Bonifacio Global City is roughly about 200 hectares. By the
time of its completion, it is envisioned to be a city in every sense
of the word. It will be home to companies, retail outlets, schools,
government offices, residential communities, parks, and even
urban farms, eventually accommodating an estimated 1.12 million
residents and 800,000 workers.
This city also embodies our vision for a more resilient Philippines.
It shows that we are learning from the lessons of the past, and
putting more thought into securing ourselves from the risks
brought about by climate change. The number of 800,000 workers
is roughly the amount of people that enter the labor force every
year. With just the Clark Green City, we will have opportunities for
the new labor entrance.
March-April.indd 26
Over the past five years and nine months, our country’s fortunes
have seen a dramatic turnaround. We have witnessed far more
progress than we could have imagined, and we can take pride in
the fact that we have completely shed the title of Sick Man of Asia,
and are now referred to as Asia’s Bright Spot, or Asia’s New Tiger.
Nevertheless, the work towards building a vibrant and inclusive
Philippine economy continues, and this project, among others,
heralds the next step in our journey, and I am hopeful that we can
maintain, if not build on our momentum.
Less than a month from now, Filipinos will be faced with a choice:
Do we continue along the Straight Path and reap the benefits
of what we have sowed these past few years? Or do we risk
reversing the progress for which we have worked so hard? I have
only 80 days left in office, but I face my final days in this job with
optimism, because I have faith in our people—that they can look
back at all we have achieved together, and make the right choice.
Throughout my term, the Filipino people have never failed to
impress me with their passion, their talent, and their immeasurable
love for country, and I am certain that, if the private sector and
government alike can continue harnessing their respective skills, we
can look forward towards the entire world and say that the Filipino
story is only beginning, and that you ain’t seen nothing yet.
Before I end, we would like to thank all our partners both in the
private sector in the person of Filinvest today, all the Japanese
agencies JICA and JOIN for their very active participation to
make this dream a reality. And perhaps just to leave you with this
thought: There is nothing that can forestall our ambitions except
ourselves. Let us devote more and more to seeing our dreams
fulfilled today.
Thank you. Good afternoon.
8/1/2016 10:13:41 AM
NEWS
7
Clark Green City
Groundbreaking Ceremony
Speech of Ma. Aurora Geotina-Garcia
BCDA Chairperson
11 April 2016, Clark Green City, Capas, Tarlac
His Excellency Benigno S Aquino, III, members of the Cabinet
present, our local government officials, members of the BCDA
Board, friends from the media, foreign guests, ladies and
gentlement.
President Aquino, BCDA is truly honored by your presence in this
milestone event.
Today, we officially commence the development of Clark
Green City, the country’s first smart, green and disaster-resilient
metropolis. We are fortunate to have the invaluable support of the
President himself in pursuing this project, a validation that we are
on the right track towards inclusivity.
BCDA is supportive of inclusive growth which enables people
from all walks of life to have fair access to opportunities. In the
past 24 years, we have pursued our mission as provided by our
Charter, RA 7227. We have built massive infrastructure; partnered
with the best global innovative organizations in city building, and
in opening new economic districts of growth. Through BCDA’s
hardwork we have contributed funds for the modernization of our
Armed Forces.
We feel fortunate to have pioneered the development of high
value, high impact, sustainable projects, such as the Subic-ClarkTarlac Expressway, a vital infrastructure that has changed the
economic landscape of Luzon.
Clark Green City will be a new city which will employ the world’s
best practices in urban development, and green technologies.
Envisioned to be the country’s most modern, global and green
metropolis, Clark Green City will be built in harmony with the natural
environment where green assets will be interwoven to create a
holistic and sustainable development.
This new metropolis will be designed to allow every individual to
reach their full potential by honing their talents and providing them
more opportunities for growth as we need to empower the poor,
and marginalized cites should be designed to provide equal access
to markets and services, and promote inclusiveness. Cities should
serve as a venue for political and social participation.
Throug Clark Green City, we commit to raise the bar in city
building in the Philippines.
Since 1992, BCDA has played a major role in transforming the
country’s socio-economic landscape. We developed military lands
under our stewardship by forging partnerships with reputable
development leaders. Thought leaders, experts in city building and
infrastructure development. To date, we have unveiled vibrant
economic districts, employment havens in Metro Manila-such as
Bonifacio Global City, and Newport City. Through the proceeds
generated from city-building, we were able to fund the sound
transformation of former bases and camps North of Manila into
thriving special economic zones, freeports and eco-tourism areas.
At its inception, BCDA focused on addressing the creation
of special economic zones within former US military bases;
subsequently to support the expansion of expanding its zones
March-April.indd 27
through key transport infrastructure developments such as the
SCTEX; to creating synergy amoing hubs jointly managed by the
BCDA Group-an initiative that has resulted in increased business,
tourism, trade and investment in the areas.
Today the thrust of BCDA is to create a new, green global
metropolis.
Clark Green City is the new economic frontier of the country.
This is our contribution to decongest Metro Manila and absorb
population growth, but more importantly, sustain the momentum
of the sterling economic performance that the country is now
experiencing, as one of Asia’s fastest growing economies.
At full development, Clark Green City will have some 1.12 million
residents, 800,000 workers and contribute a gross output of
approximately P1.57 trillion per year to the national economy or
roughly four percent share in the country’s gross domestic product
(GDP). Clearly, Clark Green City is seen to become the focal point
of economic development in the country within the next few years.
As the government cannot do this alone. We will engage the
private sector, the academe, the developers, business and
industry, and other stakeholders to realize this dream.
BCDA is committed to build a city that will give rise to a
vibrant economy that is anchored on sustainable development
and inclusivity. We are driven not only by the support of our
stakeholders but more importantly by the significant benefits that
our fellow Filipinos will derive once Clark Green City comes into
fruition. The next generation can look forward to Clark Grenn City
as will the rest of the nation.
Welcome to all and Mabuhay.
8/1/2016 10:13:41 AM
8
Clark Green City
Groundbreaking Ceremony
Speech of Arnel Paciano D. Casanova
BCDA President and CEO
11 April 2016, Clark Green City, Capas, Tarlac
His Excellency Benigno S. Aquino III, President of the Republic
of the Philippines, my former boss and mentor in BCDA DPWH
Secretary Rogelio Singson, Mayor TJ Rodriguez, BCDA Chairperson
Boots Garcia, Secretary Mel Sarmiento of the DILG, colleagues in
BCDA, local government officials, fellow public servants, friends and
honored guests.
Good afternoon.
This afternoon is a day to be marked in our history of nationbuilding. In this sleepy town of Capas known for its painful history
in the Death March during the last World War, shall rise Clark
Green City, that shining example of sustainable urban planning and
development in the Philippines. This shall be marked with peace
and development, and prosperity. We are building the core of the
country's first masterplanned green and smart metropolis. This
will be a twin metropolitan area 100 kilometers away from Metro
Manila.
This is now the era of cities. Economies globally are driven by the
competitiveness of cities.
Right now, 1 of 2 Filipinos live in cities. This is marked by
exponential growth in only a few decades. By 2030, the number will
have increased to 3 out of 4 or approximately 80 million Filipinos.
Given our country's fast economic growth—thank you to our
President—sustainability becomes a concern also, as we lose P2.4
billion worth of capital daily due to congestion. With Metro Manila
growing at an unplanned pace of 5 million people in 1975 to 24
million at present, along with the challenges of climate change
and earthquakes, our country needs a masterplanned disasterresilient metropolis.
These are the urgent concerns behind the vision of Clark Green
City. As a masterplanned development project, Clark Green
City is set to become the country’s first green and intelligent
global metropolis. At 9,450 hectares—this is a size bigger than
Manhattan—Clark Green City will bring together agriculture,
industry, commerce, civic life, education, culture, heritage, and the
environment while fostering inclusive growth across all sectors of
society.
The master plan envisions a city defined by inclusion, equality,
openness, innovation, sustainability, economic vibrancy, industry,
and good governance.
This will be a city of safety and security.
Clark Green City is our first masterplanned city for disasterresiliency. The location of the city is also a response to the
susceptibility of urban communities to climate change and natural
disasters.
On this site, Clark Green City is protected by mountain ranges
that shield the area from most typhoons. These are the Sierra
March-April.indd 28
Madre Mountain Range and the Zambales Mountain Range. The
region’s elevation also makes it resilient against flooding, rising sea
levels, and storm surges. No fault lines exist beneath where we are
standing today, and the area is well outside the permanent danger
zone of Mt. Pinatubo.
This is a city of openness and inclusion.
From the very start, the city will have beautifully designed public
spaces and commons, including an approximately 100 hectare
Central Park for residents and visitors to enjoy, regardless of
economic status. Street designs shall adopt the best global street
design principles, with pedestrian lanes, bike lanes, and mass
transport systems to ensure inclusive mobility among the people.
There will be green pathways connecting all blocks and parks
across the city.
The residential sector caters to the different requirements of
every socio-economic level of the society. This is a city where the
rich become richer, and the poor become rich as well. We aim
to build a slum-free city where everyone can have dignified and
affordable housing. We shall do this by building a 2,000 public
rental housing program with the Pag-Ibig fund. The benchmark of
affordability of this city will be the affordability of a minimum wage
earner.
This shall be a city where the rich and the poor shall form
a vibrant and safe community, because we believe that your
neighbor is your best security. This city shall be known for its
openness. Here, Filipinos shall experience living in a sharing
economy, as the culture of Filipinos demands.
This will be a city of industry.
It is the country's first city that is an entirely special economic
zone, which will enable businesses to flourish with ease, thanks to
local and national tax exemptions, as well as a 5% tax rate on gross
income. Investors are assured of duty-free importation of raw
materials and equipment, free movement of finished goods within
the zone, and special visas for foreign investors. These will help
generate billions in investments from both local and foreign firms.
The industrial zone of the city shall host industries that stimulate
industrial manufacturing and logistics, making the Philippines
the gateway to ASEAN, particularly on green and renewable
technologies. We have recently signed two contracts for the
construction of solar power plants with a total capacity of 120MW
of clean power.
More importantly, this new township will generate a million jobs
in Central Luzon during its full development, while providing housing
that caters to all walks of life.
This is a city of global economic opportunities.
Its Central Business District (CBD) shall be the heart of
Commerce and Finance serving as the primary hub for businesses
in Central and Northern Luzon, and in the ASEAN and Pacific
region. We are adopting here the best practices of successful
cities in the world, as well as our experience in building Bonifacio
Global City. Headquarters of international and local enterprises
doing business in the ASEAN economic block can set up shop in
this metropolis.
8/1/2016 10:13:42 AM
NEWS
9
The first phase comprising 288 hectares of the city shall be
developed by BCDA and FILINVEST LAND on a joint venture
partnership. The confidence of the private sector shall drive
businesses in the succeeding years. Our joint venture with the
Japan Overseas Infrastructure Corporation (JOIN) shall bring
Japanese businesses to the city, bringing in the confidence of one
of the world's biggest economies.
I will have to say that last week, I had a meeting with the
special advisor of Prime Minister Abe, who informed me that the
Japanese government had formed a special task force for Clark
Green City, to encourage Japanese government and Japanese
businesses to move to this metropolis. The president of JOIN was
here to witness that meeting.
The city of open and innovative government shall rise here.
Government centers and offices, as well as Institutions for
education, healthcare, and research & development, shall locate to
this city to ensure that Clark Green City maintains an atmosphere
conducive for investors and the urban lifestyle.
The University of the Philippines shall have its international
campus rising here. The Technological University of the Philippines,
the Philippine Science High School—and BCDA will be investing
in its fabrication laboratory to encourage innovation, creativity,
and invention among our young generation. The Climate Change
Commission shall establish its headquarters here that will be a
center of excellence for disaster and climate change adaptation.
The Office of Civil Defense and the National Disaster Coordinating
Council shall also be the initial locators, and these shall be a hub
for disaster management and resiliency.
We are currently collaborating with global research institutions,
such as the RIKEN Institute of Japan and the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology to build our country's first innovation district
where the world's brightest and creative minds will live, work,
innovate, and play.
We envision the city as the back-up capital of the Philippines
and the center of disaster relief operations in case of any calamity
that may befall Metro Manila, which is sitting on a fault line and
sandwiched between two big bodies of water, the Manila Bay and
the Laguna Lake. The entire city shall be run by smart technologies
to ensure safety, security, and allocation of resources through
smart grid utilities and infrastructure. A computerized Integrated
Operation Center shall manage the city 24/7 including disastermanagement and weather monitoring.
We aim to create a platform for government services to bring
services to the people, to be accessed with a click of a mouse.
Technology shall make public service efficient, transparent, and
immediately accessible.
The city is a big city on a farm.
It is sitting on one of the biggest agricultural plains in Southeast
Asia. Clark Green City is the first application of the "city in the
farm" concept, creating a balance between urbanization and
food security, and environment. A metropolis surrounded by
farmlands with adequate support facilities for agriculturecentered communities. It shall have urban farms right in its midst.
You can imagine living in Bonifacio Global City with a farm lot
beside your block. It shall be the center of agro-industries in the
March-April.indd 29
vast agricultural plains of Luzon. It shall be the key to modernizing
our agriculture industry and connecting our farmers to the global
economy.
To share the vision of Clark Green City, let me present to you this
video: <show AVP>
This is Clark Green City—intelligent, sustainable, resilient, and
inclusive. We owe the realization of this grand metropolis and
economic center outside Manila to the efforts of the Aquino
Administration—thank you very much Mr. President—for good
governance is critical to rolling out a large undertaking such as
this. Dahil sa matinong gobyerno, natuto po tayong mangarap, at
ngayon ay natutupad ang mga pangarap na ito. Naibalik po ang
dangal ng Pilipino.
We also owe this to our partnership with the private sector
which saw this project as an opportunity to bring about continued
economic growth and lasting change to our society.
This groundbreaking marks only the beginning. Let us all continue
working together so that our dream of a brighter and more
prosperous Philippines will truly become a reality.
Mr. President, from the bottom of my heart, maramingmaraming salamat po for giving me, a former farmer, a former
squatter—dati po akong nakatira sa skwater—a chance to build
our most modern city, and to contribute and serve our country.
We hope that upon your retirement, you can consider living here
together with your family and closest friends. I look forward to
visiting you as a private citizen soon.
We offer you Clark Green City. Our nation's offering to our great
Creator. Our nation's gift to the world.
Maraming salamat po.
8/1/2016 10:13:42 AM
BCDA HOLDS INT’L CONFAB ON
URBANIZATION AND CITY BUILDING
T
By Roy Victor R. Rosales
he state-owned Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) recently held the
country’s first international forum on urbanization and city building at the Shangri-la at the
Fort, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig Philippines.
Dubbed NXCITIES Philippines, the international confab fullday event held on March 8, 2016—and hosted by the BCDA,
anchored the launch of the country’s first smart, green and
disaster-resilient metropolis called Clark Green City. The
theme of the conference is “Building Urban Platforms for
Innovation, Inclusion, and Resilience”.
NXCITIES Philippines gathered CEOs, urban planners,
designers, tech luminaries, as well as political leaders from
Asia, the Americas, and Europe and discussed the critical
elements needed in building cities that are sustainable,
inclusive, and resilient. Included topic were Building a Great
City, Powering the City of the Future and Designing a City for
Happiness among others.
The keynote speech was delivered by Dr. Limin Hee who
is the Director at Singapore’s Centre for Liveable Cities. As
director, Dr. Hee helps oversee the Urban Systems Studies
series that investigates the Singapore’s transformation over
the last 50 years. She graduated from the Harvard University
Graduate School of Design and received her Master’s Degree
iin Architecture from the National University of Singapore.
March-April.indd 30
Among the speakers of the conference were DPWH
Secretary Rogelio Singson; University of the Philippines (UP)
president Alfredo Pascual; BCDA chairperson Ma. Aurora
Geotina-Garcia; BCDA president and CEO Arnel Paciano D.
Casanova; Filinvest Land, Inc. president and CEO Josephine
Gotianun-Yap; AECOM Design, Planning and Economics
head for Southeast Asia Yehchin Hsu; Swedish Environment
Research Institute senior adviser Dr. Hans Lundberg;
Foundation for Futuristic Cities president Karunu Gopal;
RIKEN Preventive Medicine and Diagnosis Innovation Program
director Dr. Yoshihide Hayashizaki; Assistant professor in
urban design Stephen Gray of the Harvard Graduate School
of Design; Lecturer in urban design at the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology (MIT) School of Architecture and
Planning and Sasaki Associates principal urban designer
Mary Anne Ocampo; Who Gives, Carbon Agro, and Carbon
Conservation director Dorjee Sun; Xeric Southeast Asia CEO
Klas Lundgren; Uber Manila general manager Laurence Cua;
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary
for Management Services Nora Terrado; Kickstart founder
8/1/2016 10:13:42 AM
NEWS
11
NXCITIES SPEAKERS:
Ms. Aurora Geotina-Garcia
Chairperson
Bases Conversion and Development Authority
Atty. Arnel Paciano D. Casanova
President and Chief Executive Officer
Bases Conversion and Development Authority
Dean Alfredo Pascual
President
Mr. Raymond Rufino
Chairman
University of the Philippines
Philippine Green Building Council
Hon. Rogelio Singson
Secretary
Department of Public Works and Highways
Atty. Allan Barcena
Head, Environment and
Watershed Management Division
Energy Development Corporation
and CEO Minette Navarrete; GE Philippines president
J.V. Emmanuel de Dios; WWF National Advisory
Council vice chairman Jose Ma.Lorenzo Tan; Philippine
Green Building Council chairman Raymond Rufino; and
Energy Development Corporation (EDC) Environment
and Watershed Management Division head Atty. Allan
Barcena.
The by-invitation event was attended by 731
participants.
The Philippines has long been faced with problems
such as unchecked urban sprawl, pollution, and some of
the worst traffic in the world, while also bearing the brunt
of climate change. In this light, the conference aims to
nurture ideas that will form the core of next-generation
urban spaces both in the country and across the globe.
March-April.indd 31
Mr. Laurence Cua
General Manager
UBER Manila
8/1/2016 10:14:12 AM
12
NXCITIES SPEAKERS:
“Integrated planning involves the community.”
Dr. Limin Hee, Director
Singapore Center for Liveable Cities
“City planning is about People.”
Mr. Yehchi Hsu, Vice President
Southeast Asia, AECOM
“We need a brave government to create
sustainability, but we need to do it together.”
Mr. Hans Lundberg, Professor
Kingdom of Sweden
“Think beyond expenses! Have a holistic plan.
Think urban-rural linkage.”
Mr. Lorenzo Tan, Vice Chairman
Worldwide Fund
“New technology can save money and create value
for citizens.”
Ms. Nora Terrado, Undersecretary
Department of Trade and Industry
“Intelligent cities leads greater productivity.
Data sensor usage impact city life.”
Mr. Emmanuel De Dios, Head
General Electric
March-April.indd 32
8/1/2016 10:14:41 AM
NEWS
13
“We need to breakdown the development silos
that separate areas of mobility, access, land use and
social stratification.”
Mr. Stephen Gray
Harvard University
“Our vision was to preserve the cultural heritage
and landscape heritage of the site.”
Ms. Mary Anne Ocampo
Massachusetts Institue of Technology
“We need a back-up city. If Manila is hit by an
earthquake, or some other type of storm, Clark
Green City is a move up, it’s getting there straight
away.”
Mr. Dorjee Sun, Director
Who Gives, Carbon Agro and Carbon Conservation
“Make it right from the beginning. Don’t let
anybody cut corners. Use the technology.”
Mr. Klas Lundgren, Chief Executive Officer
Xeric, Southeast Asia
“ Start-ups offer a different kind of solution, not
better, but a different parallel solution.”
Ms. Minette Navarrete, Founder and CEO
Kickstart
“ Research always produce news ideas, items and
products which is one of the key core for a smart
medical city.”
Dr. Yoshihide Hayashizaki, Director
RIKEN Preventive Medicine and Diagnosis
Innovation Program
March-April.indd 33
8/1/2016 10:15:11 AM
14
THE PHILIPPINES’ FIRST GREEN METROPOLIS RISES
CLARK GREEN CITY
By Kenneth M. del Rosario, Philippine Daily Inquirer
A
DYNAMIC, sustainable, and
vibrant global metropolis
is fast taking shape in an
area north of Manila. It’s called
Clark Green City—a sprawling
9,450-hectare development that is
envisioned to be “the country’s first
smart, green and disaster-resilient”
metropolis. The new city breaks
ground today.
The Clark Green City, located inside
the Clark Special Economic Zone in
Tarlac, is the largest, most ambitious
project yet by the state-run Bases
Conversion and Development Authority
(BCDA).
The construction of this mega city will
sustain the country’s economic growth,
while giving reprieve to the congestion
problem in Manila. This is especially
encouraging, given that the Philippine
population is projected to reach some
130 million by 2030.
Once operational, the metropolis
is set to contribute a gross output of
approximately P1.57 trillion per year to
the national economy or roughly four
percent share in the county’s Gross
Domestic Product (GDP).
“At 9,450 hectares, the whole Clark
Green City is as big as Makati, Pasay,
Parañaque, and Taguig combined. Yet
only around a third or 3,250 hectares
would be developable.
The rest would be allocated to forest
reserve and open spaces such as
parks,” said BCDA president and CEO
Arnel Paciano D. Casanova.
With an already crowded Manila, a
bullish economy, and a population that
is showing no signs of slowing down,
it is the most opportune time for the
government to undertake this kind of
project.
Accessibility and inclusive mobility
Development of the Clark Green City
is in full swing, with main access roads
leading to the site already being built
by the Department of Public Works and
Highways.
March-April.indd 34
The Clark Green City is strategically
located in the middle of major cities in
Central Luzon through the country’s
expressways that include the North
Luzon Expressway (NLEX), SubicClark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), and
Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway
(TPLEX).
Access to the Clark Green City from
Metro Manila will be very convenient
especially now that the NLEX-SCTEX
integration is being implemented. The
integration will allow for a seamless
travel reducing toll collection stops from
four to two while traveling from the NLEX
to SCTEX Tarlac.
Soon, the upcoming Central Luzon
Expressway (CLEX) will allow the
convergence from north, east, south,
and west, and serve a catchment
population of some 12million people.
Clark Green City will also have a direct
link to the Clark International Airport.
At full development, Clark Green City
will have some 1.12 million residents and
800,000 workers, enough to significantly
reduce congestion in crowded Manila.
Filinvest: The joint venture development
partner
The development of the
9,450-hectare Clark Green City will
be done in phases. The first phase,
which comprises 288 hectares will be
developed by BCDA and its joint-venture
partner, property developer giant
Filinvest Land Inc.
The joint venture agreement with
Filinvest Land, Inc. jumpstarts the full
development of Clark Green City as the
country’s new urban core.
The BCDA-Filinvest Inc. Joint Venture
Corporation (JVC) will be owned
forty-five percent (45%) by BCDA and
fifty-five percent (55%) by Filinvest
Land, Inc. The term of the Joint Venture
Agreement is 50 years renewable for
another 50 years.
8/1/2016 10:15:13 AM
Filinvest Land, Inc. president and CEO
Josephine Gotianun-Yap explained that
this latest joint venture will allow the
company to apply its expertise in largescale, mixed-use township development.
Filinvest’s 288-hectare Clark Green
City parcel will have two distinct
components: an industrial zone and
a mixed-used development with
residential, office, commercial and
institutional elements.
Filinvest is one of the country’s
leading full-range property developers
with almost 50 years in real estate and
a diverse project portfolio spanning the
archipelago. The company is currently
developing several large-scale townships
in Alabang, Rizal, Laguna, and Cebu.
Local community support
Since project inception in 2012, BCDA
has been consulting with the farmers
and residents and local government
officials to ensure that they are involved
in the development process.
“Transparency and cooperation
are key factors to the success of this
project. The development of Clark Green
City will only happen if we work closely
together,” Casanova said.
Casanova is confident with the
solid support displayed by the local
government officials and the residents,
farmers and indigenous people.
City of innovation
Clark Green City is also envisioned to
be the knowledge and innovation capital
of the country. The University of the
Philippines (UP) and the Technological
University of the Philippines (TUP) signed
separate agreements with the BCDA for
the establishment of a UP Clark Green
City Campus (in a 70-hectare property)
and a TUP Center for Industrial
Development and Productivity (TUPCINDEP).
Inclusive housing
Unlike in newly developed or
re-developed urban areas where
residential homes are mostly high-end
condominiums that the minimum wage
earner cannot afford, Clark Green City
will provide affordable and decent
housing units plus amenities for rent.
“This will allow the minimum wage earner
and his family to enjoy a live, learn, work
and play existence in Clark Green City,”
Casanova said.
For this purpose, the BCDA and
Home Development Mutual Fund
March-April.indd 35
NEWS
15
or “Pag-IBIG Fund” have forged a
partnership last year that will pave the
way for building some 2,000 housing
units in Clark Green City.
The housing project will make Clark
Green City inclusive and affordable for
the minimum wage earners and even
cater to the 85,000 workers in the
Clark Freeport Zone. BCDA is currently
undertaking the detailed engineering
design of the mixed-income housing
project.
Disaster-resilient city
Envisioned to be the country’s most
modern global metropolis, Clark Green
City will be disaster-resilient. The
absence of a fault line under or within its
vicinity makes the site ideal for long term
development. Its neighboring mountain
ranges will serve as natural barriers
against the damaging effects of super
typhoons. Flooding will also be remote
due to its high elevation.
Green and renewable energy at center
stage
Major partnerships have put
renewable energy at the forefront
in powering Clark Green City. Last
December, BCDA forged a lease
agreement with Sunray Power, Inc. (SPI)
for the lease of a 260-hectare area
to build a 100-megawatt solar power
facility worth P11.75 billion.
Another lease agreement with SSR
C-Solar Power, Inc., will establish a solar
energy farm in Clark Green City capable
of generating some 20 megawatts of
electricity. Clark Green City will feature
cutting-edge ICT infrastructure that
will integrate city wide services for
infrastructure, transport, utilities,
security and public safety. It will have an
advanced communications and digital
infrastructure that will serve as the
backbone of the entire metropolis to
facilitate data processing and transfer
through high-speed Internet connectivity
center (IOC).
Individuals who would be living and
working in this city would be encouraged
to practice green living. The city will be
sustainable and follow green standards
such as green building codes, low carbon
footprint and will be built in harmony with
the natural environment respecting the
ecosystem.
Crafting the detailed master plan
Recently, the BCDA and the Japan
Overseas Infrastructure Investment
Corporation for Transport and
Urban Development (JOIN) inked an
agreement that formed a Joint Venture
(JV) Corporation with the primary task
of crafting a detailed master plan for
Clark Green City.
The detailed master plan will lead
to the creation of employment and
education opportunities—through
the development of new industries,
logistics, innovation, information and
communication technology, that will
be complemented through setting up
of educational institutions, hospitals,
and mixed uses of commercial and
residential developments.
Once completed within a year, the
detailed master plan of Clark Green
City will also serve as the blueprint from
which all infrastructure designs will be
based.
“The detailed master plan will
identify the precise boundaries
and measurements of streets, lots,
waterways, development zones, and
building types, among others, which will
be used as the basis for infrastructure
design and its eventual construction,”
Casanova said.
The JOIN will also assist the BCDA
to develop and build Clark Green City
as a major economic center in the
ASEAN bloc. The involvement of JOIN
is expected to lead to multiple joint
venture partnerships that will serve as
a vehicle for the formation of Japanese
consortium and investments in the
field of power, transportation, tollways,
industrial zones and economic centers.
Casanova is optimistic about the
whole project, saying it’s going to bring
so many good things to the country.
He said: “With the support [of all the
stakeholders involved], we will be able
to create the city of the future here in
Central Luzon and provide opportunities
for economic growth for the country and
the people of Region III.”
JOIN is a Japanese government
corporation that aims to invest and
participate in transport or urban
development projects, involving
Japanese companies, such as bullet
trains, airports, and green cities.
The Japanese government’s target
investment for infrastructure worldwide
is Y30 Trillion by 2020.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The article was originally published
as a special supplement on the April 11, 2016 issue
of the Philippine Daily Inquirer on the occasion of the
Groundbreaking Ceremonies for Clark Green City.
8/1/2016 10:15:13 AM
BCDA, JOIN form joint venture
corporation to developed
detailed master plan for
Clark Green City
By Roy Victor R. Rosales
T
he state-owned Bases Conversion and Development Authority
(BCDA) and the Japan Overseas Infrastructure Investment
Corporation for Transport and Urban Development (JOIN) inked
an agreement that formed a Joint Venture (JV) Corporation with the
primary task of crafting a detailed master plan for Clark Green City.
Capas National Shrine
Photo by: garry a. cativo
The Capas National Shrine,
located at Brgy. Navy, Capas,
Tarlac, was built as a memorial
to allied soldiers who died at
Camp O’Donnell at the end
of the Bataan Death March
during the World War II. The
commemoration of the “Araw
ng Kagitingan” (Valour Day) on
April 9 was held at this site.
It was proclaimed as such by
former President Corazon
Aquino on December 7, 1991.
The shrine will become a
landmark of the anticipated
Clark Green City project of
the Bases Conversion and
Development Authority.
Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capas_
National_Shrine
From right: BCDA Chairperson Aurora Geotina-Garcia; BCDA President and
CEO Arnel Paciano D. Casanova; JOIN President and CEO Takuma Hatano; and,
Japan Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhide Ishikawa during the signing of the
agreement establishing a Joint Venture Corporation to craft the detailed design of
Clark Green City.
Japan Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhide Ishikawa and BCDA
Chairperson Ma. Aurora Geotina-Garcia witnessed the signing of the
agreement that was led by BCDA President and CEO Arnel Paciano D.
Casanova and JOIN President and CEO Takuma Hatano. The signing
ceremony was held at Shangri-La at the Fort, Bonifacio Global City,
just before the start of the NXCITIES International Conference.
“We welcome JOIN as BCDA’s newest JV partner in the
development of the country’s most modern city—Clark Green City and
we look forward to a long standing and fruitful partnership with JOIN,”
Casanova said.
He said the detailed master plan will lead to the creation of
employment and education opportunities through the development
of new industries, logistics, innovation, information and communication
technology, that will be complemented through setting up of
educational institutions, hospitals, and mixed-uses of commercial and
residential developments.
According to Casanova, once completed within a year, the detailed
master plan of Clark Green City will also serve as the blueprint from
which all infrastructure designs will be based.
“The detailed master plan will identify the precise boundaries
and measurements of streets, lots, waterways, development zones,
and building types, among others, which will be used as the basis for
infrastructure design and its eventual construction,” Casanova said.
Under the agreement, forty-five percent (45%) of the JV
Corporation will be owned by BCDA and fifty-five percent (55%) by
JOIN.
Earlier, Casanova said the involvement of the JOIN in the
development of Clark Green City will lead to multiple joint venture
partnerships that will serve as a vehicle for the formation of Japanese
consortium and investments in the field of power, transportation,
tollways, industrial zones and economic centers.
“By investing in Clark Green City, JOIN will help transform it into a
major economic center of the ASEAN economic bloc,” he said.
Casanova noted that JOIN would help identify and attract more
Japanese investments in the Philippines. “JOIN will invite global
partners to invest in Clark Green City.”
JOIN is a Japanese government corporation that aims to invest
and participate in transport or urban development projects, involving
Japanese companies, such as bullet trains, airports, and green cities.
The Japanese government’s target investment for infrastructure
worldwide is Y30 Trillion by 2020.
March-April.indd 36
8/1/2016 10:15:14 AM