Photo caption: The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) joined the 15th Philippines-Japan High Level Joint Committee Meeting on Infrastructure Development and Economic Cooperation on 24 March 2025. BCDA photo
The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) has reaffirmed its strong commitment to advancing the Philippines' infrastructure development, highlighting significant progress in its flagship New Clark City project.
During the 15th Philippines-Japan High-Level Meeting of the Joint Committee on Infrastructure Development and Economic Cooperation on March 24, 2025, BCDA President and CEO Engr. Joshua M. Bingcang presented key developments in New Clark City.
A notable milestone is BCDA's partnership with Science Park of the Philippines Inc. (SPPI) for the development of a 100-hectare industrial park. Leveraging this partnership, SPPI is actively engaging with Japanese companies to market and develop the area, aiming to attract high-value manufacturing and technology investments.
Meanwhile, the BCDA is also currently piloting an AI-based Smart Mobility System within New Clark City in partnership with Zenmov and New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO). First of its kind in the Philippines, this system incorporates low-carbon transport solutions and autonomous Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs). The final report from Zenmov, expected in the third quarter of 2025, will provide crucial insights for the future development of New Clark City's comprehensive mass transport system.
"With Japan’s support, we are making great progress in transforming New Clark City into a smart, sustainable, and thriving economic hub," Engr. Bingcang said during his speech.
BCDA and Japan Overseas Infrastructure Investment Corporation for Transport and Urban Development (JOIN), the Japanese government-private sponsored infrastructure investment fund, are accelerating the implementation of the New Clark City master plan, focusing on the preparation of a business case for estate management services. This will ensure efficient and sustainable administration as New Clark City welcomes more locators.
Engr. Bingcang, before the Government of Japan, extended an invitation to Japanese businesses to explore the diverse opportunities New Clark City has to offer, encouraging them to capitalize on the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy (CREATE MORE) Act, which is designed to offer enhanced incentives for foreign investors.
"These initiatives demonstrate the strong and lasting partnership between BCDA and Japan in shaping New Clark City’s future. We invite more Japanese businesses to join us in this exciting journey,"Bingcang said.
The high-level meeting was co-chaired by the National Economic and Development Authority and the Department of Finance representing the Philippine government, and the Special Advisor to the Prime Minister representing the Japanese government.
Transforming Clark into Asia’s next investment destination is BCDA’s contribution to the economic agenda of the Marcos administration’s Build Better More program. Its development is expected to help decongest Metro Manila and catalyze socioeconomic growth in Central and Northern Luzon.
The Clark metropolis consists of Clark International Airport, Clark Freeport Zone, and BCDA’s latest flagship project New Clark City. New Clark City is a 9,450-hectare greenfield development inside the Clark Freeport and Special Economic Zone positioned to be an inclusive, resilient, sustainable, and smart city. Once fully developed, New Clark City is projected to become the home of over a million residents, and provide job opportunities to around 600,000 Filipinos.