Capas, Tarlac—The National Government Administrative Center (NGAC) at the New Clark City broke ground today, January 23, 2018. High-ranking officials of the National Government led by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade, DPWH Secretary Mark Villar and BCDA President Vince Dizon graced the ceremonies together with local officials led by Tarlac Governor Susan Yap and Capas, Tarlac Mayor Reynaldo Catacutan.
Phase 1 of the 200-hectare National Government Administrative Center involves the development of back-up offices of various agencies to ensure continuous business operations and services for the people in case of disaster or national calamities. There will also be a one-stop-shop for all the businesses located in Region 3. Out of the 200-hectare land, 60 hectares shall comprise the project's first phase, with 40 hectares alloted for Phase1A and another 20 hectares for Phase1B.
The P13.16B Phase1A of the project will also be of great significance to the 2019 Southeast Asian Games which the Philippines will be hosting. A world-class Sports Complex with an Aquatics and Athletics Center will be completed in less than two years and will serve as a venue for the athletics and water sports event of the 30th SEA Games scheduled on the last quarter of 2019. The Stadium shall have a seating capacity of 20,000 while the Aquatic Center shall have a seating capacity of 2,000. Aside from that, the 40-hectare development will have government housing, parks, and support service facilities.
Once completed in 2019, the project’s Phase1B will commence for the construction of additional government office buildings, government housing units, and small-scale retail and services facilities including banks, health centers, and hotels.
MTD Capital Berhad of Malaysia won the bid to build the government hub in Tarlac, after submitting its proposal to the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and undergoing the Competitive Challenge.
New Clark City, BCDA’s most ambitious project to date, is a new metropolis that will rise within the Clark Special Economic Zone, in Capas and Bamban, Tarlac. It is envisioned to be the country’s first and only smart and green city, which will feature mixed-use real estate developments, an agro-industrial park, and a food processing terminal.
Also present in the ceremony are Senator Joel Villanueva, Representatives Karlo Nograles, Albee Benitez, Pia Cayetano, PMS Head Ferdinand Cui, Undersecretaries Rene Solidum, Cathy Cabral, Karen Jimeno and Finance Assistant Secretary Paola Alvarez.