Bases Conversion and Development Authority  (BCDA) President and CEO Arnel Paciano Casanova talks on the role of BCDA in the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) during a forum for representatives of the Civil Miltary Operations Group (CMOG) of the 9^th Infantry (Spear) Division of the Philippine Army held at Camp Elias Angeles, in Pili, Camarines Sur. 

 The forum is in line with BCDA’s Stakeholders’ Satisfaction Program for the military.  BCDA is mandated by Republic Act 7227 (Bases Conversion and Development Act of 1992) to transform former military baselands into alternative productive civilian uses.    

Since its creation in 1992, BCDA has already generated P57.66 billion from the disposition of former Metro Manila camps, where 41 percent or P23.48 billion has already been remitted to the National Treasure for the account of the AFP.

 

Bases Conversion and Development Authority  (BCDA) Chairman Rolando Gosiengfiao (second from left) and President and CEO Arnel Paciano Casanova (fourth from left) pay a courtesy visit to BGen Felix Castro, Jr, AFP (center),  Assistant Commander of the 9^th Infantry (Spear) Division (9ID) of the Philippine Army stationed at their headquarters in Camp Elias Angeles, San Jose, Pili, Camarines Sur.  The visit was made minutes before the conduct of the Civil Military Operations Forum, an event in line with BCDA’s Stakeholders Satisfaction Program for the military, where Atty. Casanova presented on the role of BCDA in the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). BCDA is mandated by Republic Act 7227 (Bases Conversion and Development Act of 1992) to transform former military baselands into alternative productive civilian uses.  

July 29 | Job Fair for Indigenous Peoples & Persons w/ Disability

The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and the Clark Development Corporation (CDC), a member of The BCDA Group, launched the very first Job Fair for Persons with Disability (PWDs) and Indigenous Peoples (IPs) last July 29, 2013 at Mimosa, Clark Special Economic Zone. The event is a joint CSR project of CDC and BCDA with partners CILA (Clark Investors and Locators Association) and MCACC (Metro Clark Advisory Council).

Present during the opening ceremonies were Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Commissioner Grace Padaca, BCDA President Arnel Paciano Casanova, CDC Chairman Eliseo Santiago, CDC President Arthur Tugade, CILA President Rene Banzon, CDC Director Atty. Manuel Feliciano, PWD Affairs President Edwin Gueco, and our beneficiaries.

For complete photos, click this link..

La Union airport to become international under PPP

The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) is looking to develop the Poro Point Freeport Zone in San Fernando, La Union  as an international airport.

BCDA president Arnel Casanova said in a statement Friday that the conversion of the Poro Point gateway has recently been approved for funding by the government's Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) Center.

The BCDA chief, however, did not mention how much has been allotted for the new international gateway project.

"We are confident in the expertise of the PPP Center to take the lead in bidding out the development of the Poro Point San Fernando Airport," Casanova said.

Casanova, who is also BCDA chief executive, said that Poro Point's proximity to Southeast Asian neighbors makes it an ideal entryway for those markets.

The freeport is only an hour and a half  away from Hong Kong, Vietnam and Taipei, and three and a half hours from Japan Singapore and Korea. It is also relatively close to Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia which are only four hours away.

While  accommodating international flights, the airport will also serve as gateway to La Union, Baguio, Ilocos and other Northern Luzon tourist destinations, Casanova said.

He said  Poro Point's current facilities will be upgraded to meet the International Civil Aviation Organization requirements.

"An airport terminal shopping mall will be constructed similar to Changi Airport of Singapore, but much smaller in scale," Casanova said.

BCDA is currently preparing the bidding process and targeting to start the construction of the project by 2015.

July 26 2013 | PCEO Arnel Casanova talks on Adaptive Leadership

BCDA President and CEO Arnel Paciano Casanova deliveredan inspirational message on "Adaptive Leadership in Challenging Times" as Guest Honor and Speaker during the Leadership Forum of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class 2014, Baguio City.

With him were BGen. Carlos F. Quita, AFP - Commandants of Cadets, PMA, Vice Admiral Edgar L. Abogado, AFP -Superintendent of the PMA, Capt. Allan Ferdunand V. Cusi, PN (GSC) - Chief of Academy Staff, PMA, and Dr. Jamie Agbayani -President of the John Hay Management Corporation (a member of The BCDA Group).

For photos, you can check out this link. 

Interview of BCDA President Arnel Casanova on Headstart by Karen Davila. Part 3

Interview of BCDA President Arnel Casanova on Headstart by Karen Davila. Part 2

Interview of BCDA President Arnel Casanova on Headstart by Karen Davila. Part 1

BCDA confident of Sobrepeña conviction. “It’s just a matter of time,” says Casanova.

Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) president and CEO Arnel Paciano D. Casanova has expressed confidence that Camp John Hay Development Corporation (CJHDevCo) chairman and CEO Robert John Sobrepeña will be convicted of malversation. The latter pleaded not guilty to two counts of malversation of funds before the Baguio City Regional Trial Court last Thursday.

“The wheels of justice have finally caught up with Robert Sobrepeña, and it’s just a matter of time before the court finds him guilty,” Casanova said. “We will not rest until Sobrepeña   and his cohorts pay their debts to the government.”

The malversation charges, which were filed by the Department of Justice on April 1, 2013, stem from a complaint filed by the BCDA against the Board of Directors and officials of CJHDevCo and its subsidiary, Camp John Hay Hotel Corporation (CJH Hotels).

The 22-page complaint stated that the CJHDevCo directors and officers, even after the lawful demand of the BCDA, refused to return the public properties to the government. These properties are 16 units of the CJH Manor Hotel and 10 units of the CJH Suites Hotel which have a total value of P121 Million. The hotel units were payments in kind or dacion en pago made to BCDA in 2008, as partial settlement of CJHDevCo’s unpaid rental obligations.

The complaint further stated that CJHDevCo continues to earn from these units but refused to provide the liquidation of public funds—revenues that it earned from the use and lease of the 26 units which should go to the public coffers.

The DOJ approved the filing of two counts of malversation of funds, stating that “In the instant case, respondents' delayed remittance of the rental income of BCDA despite repeated demands did not extinguish their criminal liability for malversation of public funds. Again, it should be noted that the respondents did not provide any sufficient explanation for the said remittance. Thus, they are presumed to have malversed the rents due to BCDA for the period mentioned above under leaseback agreement."

CJHDevCo officials Ferdinand Santos, Alfredo Yñiguez and Emily Roces-Falco were also charged.
Sobrepeña was asked by immigration officers to disembark from a plane prior to take-off, following an attempt to leave the country only one day after he was charged . The plane was bound for the United States. CCTV footage from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) showed Sobrepeña, a Filipino-American, being held up at Immigration as officials checked documents. He was allowed past Immigration, but was later shown by security cameras returning to Immigration and exiting the premises after he was evicted from the airplane.

“Sobrepeña’s attempted departure, not to mention all the records of CJHDevCo’s ballooning debt to the BCDA, is a clear indication of guilt. He cannot hide from the law any longer,” remarked Casanova.

Foreign investors express keen interest in PHL—BCDA

The state-owned Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) said foreign real estate developers have expressed interest  in investing in the Philippines during the recently held  2^nd Urban Land Institute (ULI) Asia Pacific Summit in Shanghai, China.

BCDA president and CEO Arnel Paciano D. Casanova who attended the ULI summit said the word is out in the global investment community that the Philippines  has achieved investment grade status and has recorded the highest GDP in the region.

“With the recent investment upgrade, sound economic fundamentals and the good governance being carried out by the Aquino administration, the country is now being seriously considered as an investment haven,” Casanova said.

He said  the Aquino administration’s efforts in curbing corruption has played a key role in increasing investors’ confidence. “We are now going towards the direction that the Philippines treats every business with fairness and transparency in a level playing field,”  Casanova said adding that “good governance is good economics.”

Casanova  who is also the chairman  of the government’s Philippine Investment Promotions Plan (PIPP) Steering Committee said the BCDA was the only non-Chinese exhibitor in the summit that gathered together some 400 real-estate developers in Asia-Pacific region.

He said that the BCDA team that attended the ULI summit highlighted the various properties of the BCDA group in  Bonifacio Global City, Bonifacio South, Clark Special  Economic Zone that includes the Clark Green City, Clark International Airport, the Poro Point Freeport that includes the San Fernando Airport and the Poro Point Seaport, John Hay Special Economic Zone, and the Atmanda Tourism and Leisure Park located inside the Bataan  Technology Park at the Morong Special Economic Zone.

“We got an overwhelming response from various international real-estate firms on our properties and we expect them to visit the country soon to see for themselves the investment opportunities in the country,” Casanova said.

He said the BCDA is now focusing to create an environment that is friendly and open to foreign investors and tourists. He pointed out that BCDA is also aggressively promoting  the development of the needed infrastructure  for investors such as  airports and seaports  because these are the gateways for international businesses to come in. “The Philippines is open to international business,” Casanova said. 

BCDA invests P33.8-B in Central Luzon; Investments seen to further grow in Central Region with Clark Green City

The state-owned Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) said it has invested P33.8 billion in Central Luzon in line with its mandate to convert the former US military facility  Clark Air Base into  productive-use and at the same time create opportunities for investment and employment in Central Luzon.

BCDA President and CEO Arnel Paciano D. Casanova said BCDA has dramatically improved the investment landscape in Central Luzon by providing  the much needed funds for the development  of the  Clark Freeport Zone and its immediate environs.

Of the P33.8 billion infused by the BCDA in Central Luzon, a huge chunk amounting to Php30.68 billion was invested in the construction of the 94-kilometer Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX)—the most modern tollway connecting the Subic Bay Freeport Zone with its modern seaport and the Clark Freeport Zone where the Clark International Airport is located.

BCDA infused  Php1.28 billion in the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) and Php 1.53 billion in CDC’s 230kv Transmission Project. Another Php 1.25 billion was invested in the Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC).  Some Php342.2 million funded the construction of  roads in Bataan, Pampanga and Tarlac.

Casanova said BCDA’s newest project in Central Luzon is the creation of a new urban area half the size of Metro Manila. He said BCDA is in the final stages of master planning the 35,000-hectare Clark Green City located at the Clark Special Economic Zone.  It is expected to be launched next year.

“Clark Green City will be environmentally sustainable, socially inclusive, economically competitive, culturally relevant, and technologically integrated,” adding that “Clark Green City will generate billions in investments and generate thousands of jobs.”   This will also provide the catalyst for the economic development of surrounding local government units.

Casanova likened Clark Green City to a much more modern Bonifacio Global City that is 100 times bigger.

“BCDA, together with its subsidiaries, CDC and CIAC, is committed to actively pursue the development of Central Luzon.  The development of Central Luzon is not merely a local or regional concern, it is a matter of national interest,” Casanova said.

BCDA with the Capampangan in Media, Inc.

BCDA President/CEO Arnel Paciano D. Casanova informs members of Capampangan in Media, Inc. (CAMI) that BCDA is pushing for the continued growth of Central Luzon with the development of the Clark Green City and the expansion of the Clark International Airport. BCDA has already infused P 33.8 billion in the development of the region. CAMI is led by Mr. Federico Pascual

For photos, you can check out this link: BCDA with the Capampangan in Media, Inc.

Forum for the Army Civil Miliary Operations Group

BCDA President and CEO Arnel Paciano Casanova engages with BCDA's biggest stakeholder, our country's armed forces, in a forum held at Camp Elias Angeles, Pili, Camarines Sur. Atty. Casanova discusses to members of the 9th Infantry (Spear) Division, Philippine Army the "Role of BCDA in the AFP Modernization Program." The highlight of the event is the open forum which allows for a meaningful interaction between BCDA officials and members of the military. The forum is in line with BCDA's Stakeholder Satisfaction Program for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). Participants of the forum were members of the Civil Military Operations Group (CMOG) of the Philippine Army (PA). The 9th Infantry (Spear) Division is led by its Division Commander, MGen Romeo Calizo, AFP, with Assistant Division Commander BGen @Felix Castro, Jr, AFP. With the team is Col. Arnulfo Burgos, Jr., Commander of the CMOG, PA

For photos, you can check out this link: Forum for the Army Civil Military Operations Group

BCDA collaborates with global technology experts to develop a Smart+Connected Clark Green City

The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) has forged a collaboration  with global technology experts on urban planning and information and communications technology (ICT) development with a view to optimizing the potential of the projected Clark Green City at the Clark Special Economic Zone (CSEZ) in the provinces of Pampanga and Tarlac.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed to confirm a three-way collaboration and the signing ceremony was attended by BCDA President and Chief Executive Officer, Arnel Paciano D. Casanova; Country General Manager for Cisco in Philippines, Stephen Thomas Misa; and Korean-based firm Centios (formerly known as kcss) CEO, Hung Kwon Song.

According to Casanova, the MOU “creates a non-binding framework for furthering discussions under which the parties can explore potential collaborative opportunities and determine business opportunities in relation to sustainable urbanization,” referring in particular to BCDA’s Clark Green City project.

“BCDA, Cisco and Centios intend to enter into discussions regarding a possible strategic relationship to align the approach and methodology to design and build sustainable communities and cities of the future,” Casanova said

He added that the strategic collaborate will be based on the  use of Cisco’s Smart+Connected^™ Communities offerings to help attain the BCDA’s vision of sustainable, innovative, and cost-effective solutions for community and city development.

Cisco Smart+Connected^™ Communities uses the network as platform to weave together people, services, community assets, and information into a single pervasive solution. The initiative encapsulates a new way of thinking about how communities are designed, built, managed, and renewed to achieve social, economic, and environmental sustainability; transforming physical communities to connected communities.

For its part, the Korean-based firm Centios will work on a feasibility study for the Clark Special Economic Zone based on Cisco Smart+Connected^™ Communities concept. Centios has the expertise in the area of building ‘Intelligent Cities’ and has to its credit the New Songdo International Business District in South Korea.

Pursuant to the MOU, the BCDA will allow kcss and Cisco to review the masterplan for the envisioned Clark Green City, and will provide all relevant information about the BCDA’s development areas.

Cisco will also share its industry best practices with BCDA and Centios.

The MOU is focused on providing a forum for discussions to explore, develop and maximize the potentials of the CSEZ as one of the key growth areas under the umbrella of the BCDA.  

Songdo City - The Inspiration for Clark Green City

Timor-Leste PM visits Bonifacio Global City for business ideas

Timor-Leste PM visits Bonifacio Global City for business ideas

 Timor-Leste Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão and his ministers visited Fort Bonifacio Global City in Taguig Ciy Saturday night to get ideas on how to set up a stable business environment in Timor-Leste, Malacañang said Sunday.

A Palace statement said Gusmão, who arrived in Manila Thursday for a four-day official visit, was welcomed by representatives from the Bases Conversion and Development Authority and the Fort Bonifacio Development Corporation at the Mind Museum.

The Timor-Leste delegation was briefed about the Fort Bonifacio Global City (formerly known as Fort Bonifacio), a highly urbanized district in Taguig City. The Fort Bonifacio Global City has experienced robust commercial growth in recent years through the sale of military land by the BCDA. The entire Fort Bonifacio district used to be a part of the main Philippine Army camp in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig.

Read the whole story on GMA Network.com

BCDA President at Rotary Club of Makati

BCDA President and CEO Arnel Paciano Casanova discusses the development plans of the Authority among officers and members of the Rotary Club of Makati led by its president Carlo Rufino.

4 Commandments of Cities: A TED film

As we mentioned previously, the BGC is one of the best examples of urban planning in the Philippines. This video from TED shows just how important proper urban planning is to the future

Eduardo Paes is the mayor of Rio de Janeiro, a sprawling, complicated, beautiful city of 6.5 million. He shares four big ideas about leading Rio -- and all cities -- into the future, including bold (and do-able) infrastructure upgrades and how to make a city "smarter." 

http://on.ted.com/Paes

Flood Control when planning cities

A news story on 24 Oras. Masterplan kontra baha, kailangan ng Metro Manila.

Flood control was one of the top priorities when BGC was conceived and developed, and the innovative system that BGC used can hopefully be implemented by flood-prone cities.