BCDA inks MOU with Korean Economic Zone Authority

The state-owned Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) said it recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a South Korean  Economic Zone Authority that will pave the way for the BCDA  to gain new insights in building the Philippines’ first smart and green city in Central Luzon and position the new city as the international business district in the Southeast Asian region.  

BCDA President and CEO Arnel Paciano D. Casanova said he recently signed a MOU with Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority (IFEZA)  Commissioner Jong-Cheol Lee to explore potential collaborative opportunities in relation to sustainable urbanization with  IFEZA’s experience with the Songdo International Business District and BCDA’s planned Clark Green City (CGC).

The signing ceremony was done via videoteleconferencing with IFEZA Commissioner Jong-Cheol Lee  in Korea and Mr. Casanova in Makati.

According to Casanova, IFEZA has successfully launched the Songdo International Business District within the Incheon Free Economic Zone in  2009 as an international city that integrates the best practices of urban planning and sustainable design principles with a synergistic mix of residential, commercial, retail land civic uses in a master-planned environment.

Casanova said with  the Songdo International Business District  as the international hub in Northeast Asia, the Clark Green City is envisioned to complement and create synergy with  Songdo by being the international business hub of the Southeast Asian Region.

“The  MOU is a first step,  and with further discussion,  it can lead to a possible strategic relationship between BCDA and IFEZA to foster technical cooperation that encompasses the whole range of assistance activities designed to develop human resources,” Casanova said.

He added that BCDA and IFEZA also intends to discuss other possible areas of potential collaboration to support the vision and efforts of BCDA for the creation and development of the CGC.

“BCDA’s vision is a community with embedded innovative IP-enabled technology in a green and sustainable city that will serve as the backbone to facilitate solutions to promote new economic opportunities,” Casanova said.

Also under the MOU, the BCDA and IFEZA agree to pursue cooperation and develop synergies towards common goals through  building on each others respective comparative strengths and advantages  by providing assistance aimed at strengthening individual and organizational capacity by providing technical training and expertise; technical assistance to personnel involved in the implementation and the management of the CGC; assistance for the implementation of joint studies on cooperative matters in the areas of mutual interest; and sharing of implementation policy and regulatory know-how regarding Free Economic Zones/ Special Economic Zones.

BCDA, US Embassy ink pact on Clark Veterans Cemetery

The state-run Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and the U.S. Embassy have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that formalizes the pact between the Philippines and the United States on the upkeep of the Clark Veterans Cemetery (CVC) in Pampanga.

The MOU signing by BCDA president and CEO Arnel Paciano D. Casanova and United States Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg was witnessed by Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Albert del Rosario at the DFA headquarters in Manila.

The seven-hectare CVC was established in 1947 as a final resting place for American veterans and Filipino scouts. It is said to contain the remains of more than 8,600 US servicemen, Filipino scouts and their dependents. After Mt. Pinatubo erupted in 1991, Clark Air Base was abandoned along with the CVC. While attempts had been made by volunteers to restore the cemetery without US assistance, the MOU sets the stage for CVC’s full restoration.

Under the agreement, the US will provide a $5 million fund for the rehabilitation of CVC, while the Philippine government, through the BCDA, maintains ownership of the land.

BCDA president and CEO stressed the importance of the cemetery, saying that “it is but fitting and honorable to remember those who have fought for our freedom, our liberty and our democracy, [and] we are honored to stand side by side with the US government in upholding these ideals.”

For his part, Ambassador Goldberg said that the MOU will pave the way for the long-term maintenance of CVC, and noted the importance of the cemetery in honoring American and Filipino war heroes.

“Many men and women have answered the call to defend the values that we cherish, and many have willingly offered their lives for the good of countless others,” he said. “Those interred [at CVC] served faithfully and honorably for their countries, and their service and sacrifices will always be remembered.”

Seaoil Service Area soon to rise in SCTEX

Officials of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA)  and Seaoil Philippines, Inc.  give the two-thumbs up following the signing of the contract where Seaoil will lease and develop a  two-hectare lot at the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX).  Photo shows (from left) Seaoil Vice President for Marketing Arturo S. Cruz, BCDA President and CEO Arnel Paciano D. Casanova, Seaoil President and CEO Francis Glenn L. Yu, and  BCDA Executive Vice President Aileen An. R. Zosa. The Seaoil service area will be the first service area to  rise in the world-class toll road and will be located at the south-bound direction of the  Clark-Tarlac segment which is Clark-bound coming from Tarlac. The prescribed facilities and amenities of the service area include a gasoline station, rest rooms, sufficient and adequate parking slots, emergency First Aid station, potable water and lighting system, emergency vehicle repair shop and convenience stores.

BCDA and PPMC to spearhead PPP for airport upgrade

The state-run Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and its subsidiary, Poro Point Management Corporation (PPMC) is looking to launch another PPP (public-private partnership) project, this time for the upgrading of La Union’s San Fernando Airport to meet the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) requirements for catering to larger aircrafts for international flights. The upgrade will also include the development of an airport terminal with mall complex, touted to become a small-scale version of Singapore’s Changi airport. Rebel Group International BV is set to conduct the feasibility study until the financial close for the PPP project. In photo (seated right to left): BCDA president and CEO Arnel Paciano D. Casanova, PPP Center of the Philippines Executive Director Cosette Canilao, and Rebel Group International BV Team Leader Jeroen In’t Veld ink the contract for the Transaction Advisory Services. Witnessing the signing are (standing right to left) PPMC president and CEO Florante Gerdan, PPMC Director Jorge Banal and vice president for airport operations Josefa Catherine Bada.

Philippines, US ink pact on Clark Veterans Cemetery

The state-run Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and the U.S. Embassy have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that formalizes the pact between the Philippines and the United States on the upkeep of the Clark Veterans Cemetery in Pampanga. The seven-hectare cemetery was established in 1947 as a final resting place for American veterans and Filipino scouts. Under the agreement, the US will provide a $5 million fund for the rehabilitation of the cemetery, while the Philippine government, through the BCDA, maintains ownership of the land. BCDA president and CEO Arnel Paciano D. Casanova stressed the importance of the cemetery, saying that “it is but fitting and honorable to remember those who have fought for our freedom, our liberty and our democracy, [and] we are honored to stand side by side with the US government.” In photo: Casanova (left) and United States Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg (right) join hands after signing the MOU, as Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario looks on.

Building a smart, green adn global city

Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA)  President and CEO Arnel Paciano D. Casanova delivers his presentation on “Building new cities to sustain growth”  before the participants of the 4th Annual Asia Pacific Real Estate Investment Summit Philippines 2013 held recently at Hotel Intercon, Makati City.  Mr. Casanova said BCDA proposes to build a new metropolis to sustain economic growth and create safe urban areas adapted to climate-change effects. He noted that Central Luzon presents the most viable solution for the development of a new metropolis that will complement the development of Metro Manila. Mr. Casanova said the new city  will be a  smart, green and global city that is expected to  boost the country’s economy by creating  925,000 jobs and generate some USD1.29 Billion roughly Php50 Billion in government revenues from income taxes and USD1.76 Billion  roughly Php78 Billion annually from VAT.