BCDA to earn P1.9-B from development of Taguig lots

The state-run Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) is set to earn P1.9-billion in 25 years for the long-term lease of the 5.2-hectare Pamayanang Diego Silang (PDS) commercial lots located near the C-5 road in Taguig City. The consortium of R-II Builders, Inc. and MGS Construction, Inc. won the bid last year for the development of the properties. In photo: BCDA President and CEO Arnel Paciano D. Casanova (seated in the middle) inks the contract with the winning bidders: (seated from left) from R-II Builders, Inc., Mr. Jerome Canlas, Executive Vice President and Mr. Victor Songco, President; and from MGS Construction, Inc., Mr. Marcelino Mendoza, President and CEO and Ms. Rowena Reclosado, Senior Vice President for Special Projects. Also in photo are (standing from left): from BCDA, Director Elmar Gomez; Arrey Perez, Head of Business Development Department; and, Director Vice Admiral Ferdinand Golez (Ret). The deal is the first contract signed by BCDA for 2014.

Total disposition generated for Metro Manila camps hits P60.21-B. AFP gets P1.52 Billion for CY2013

The state-owned Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) has generated P60.21 billion in disposition proceeds for the period May 1993 to end-December 2013 or a P3.5 billion increase from the P56.70 billion it generated from May 1993 to end-December 2012 from the disposition of former Metro Manila camps the biggest of which are Fort Bonifacio and Villamor Airbase.

Of the generated P60.21 billion in disposition proceeds for the past 20 years, the AFP got the lion’s share at P25.36 billion. The amount comprises P13.98 billion remittances for the AFP modernization program and P11.38 billion spent for the Military Replication facilities. An additional P1.52 billion is set to be remitted to the National Treasury for the AFP modernization program on GOCC Day for CY 2013.

“The additional P1.52 billion generated for the AFP will be remitted to the National Treasury soon. Once remitted, the AFP can draw this amount from the National Treasury to fund its modernization program,” BCDA President Arnel Paciano D. Casanova said.

Casanova noted that the BCDA is ever mindful of the critical funding requirements for the AFP Modernization Program.  “Rest assured, the BCDA will always work for the interest of the Filipino soldier in delivering the much needed funds to ensure and sustain a strong and well-equipped armed forces,” he said.

Casanova said that of the generated P60.21 billion in disposition proceeds for the period May 1993 to December 2013, BCDA’s share amounted to P12.52 billion while the share of the 14 government beneficiary agencies under A.O. 236 was at P7.36 billion. The remaining amount represents payments for taxes and fees related to disposition, replication of non-military facilities, share of the contiguous municipalities and direct expenses consisting of relocation of informal occupants, construction of site development projects, and administrative expenses. 

He pointed out that the shares of the AFP and the 14 government beneficiaries were directly remitted to the National Treasury.  In turn, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is responsible for the programming and releasing the appropriation to the AFP to finance their modernization program. 

The 14 government beneficiaries include the  1) National Housing Authority, National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation and Home Insurance and Guarantee Corporation; 2) Philippine Health Insurance Corporation; 3) Department of  Public Works and Highways and the Department of Transportation and Communications;  4) Philippine Veterans Affairs Office; 5) Commission on Higher Education; 6) Department of Science and Technology;  7) Office of the Secretary, Department of Justice and the Ombudsman; 8) Mount Pinatubo Assistance, Rehabilitation and Development Fund; 9) Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Corrections, Philippine National Police and the Bureau of Jail  Management and Penology; 10) Supreme Court of the Philippines and Lower Courts, Sandiganbayan, Court of Appeals and Court of Tax Appeals; 11) Department of  Education, Culture and Sports, Department of Social Welfare and Development; 12) Department of Labor and Employment; 12) Department of Social Welfare and Development; 13) Mount Pinatubo Assistance, Rehabilitation and Development; 14) Philippine Economic Zone Authority.

Top global business school completes strategic marketing plan for Clark Green City--BCDA

The state-owned Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) said a top US-based business school it had signed an agreement with has completed the comprehensive blueprint that outlines the strategies and tactics in marketing the country’s planned first and only smart and green metropolis called Clark Green City making it the center for innovation, sustainability and inclusive growth for its residents, partners and the world.

BCDA President and CEO Arnel Paciano D. Casanova said the Stephen M. Ross School of Business of the University of Michigan formulated the Strategic Marketing Development Plan that complements the Master Development Plan of the Clark Green City. He said the Strategic Marketing Development Plan was presented to the BCDA last December 17, 2013.

 “We are happy to have partnered with the Stephen M. Ross School of Business, being perhaps the world’s top business school, which delivered a top notch global strategic marketing development plan for the Clark Green City,” Casanova said. He added that the plan will undoubtedly redound to the ability of BCDA to successfully market Clark Green City in a global scale. 

He added that  team from the Stephen M. Ross School of Business, lead by Dr. Andrew Lawlor,  was in the country last October to undertake  meetings, data collection and other preparatory activities for the study.

According to Casanova the scope of the market study undertaken by the Stephen M. Ross Business School team include, among others, the review of financial and economic assumptions in the Master Development Plan; a market attractiveness assessment, sizing analysis and branding formulation; and the five-year Strategic Marketing Development Plan.

Casanova said the NEDA Infracom, chaired by Socioeconomic Planning Secretary and

NEDA Director-General Arsenio Balisacan has already endorsed the Clark Green City Master Development Plan to  President Benigno S. Aquino III for final approval.

“Once we get the green light from President Aquino, we can now implement both the Strategic Marketing Plan and the Master Development Plan for the Clark Green City,” Casanova said.

Casanova noted that the University of Michigan has a long standing relationship with the Philippines in terms of developing the country’s educational system. He explained that graduates from the University of Michigan composed a large number of the first American teachers or Thomasites who taught and chartered the course of the Philippine educational system.

He said that no less that the founder of the University of the Philippines College of Law, Justice George A. Malcom was a graduate of the University of Michigan and a lot of known Filipino leaders are educated there.

“This time, the University of Michigan and the Stephen M. Ross School of Business has assisted the Philippines in developing the country’s most modern and intelligent city,” Casanova said.

According to Casanova, considering that the greatest asset and competitive advantage of the Philippines is its young population, the Clark Green City shall serve as the country’s brain capital as it aims to host the most inquisitive, creative and innovative minds.

Clark Green City involves the development of some 36,000 hectares of land or approximately half the size of Metro Manila.

At the heart of the 36,000-hectare property is a 9,450-hectare metropolis. BCDA  will start by developing 1,321 hectares for the first phase.

Earlier, Casanova said Clark Green City is the first project of this magnitude that will be undertaken in the history of the country. “Not only are we building a new city, we are building the city for the modern Filipinos, aware of their rich and diverse history, yet forward looking and global thinking,” he said.

Said Casanova: “We are building a city not defined by physical space alone but on how this space uplifts the quality of life of every human being that will live and work there.”

He added that development of the Clark Green City is expected to contribute in attracting investments, generating more jobs, boosting the economy and sustaining inclusive growth.

Casanova said at full development, Clark Green City would contribute approximately P1.57 trillion per year to the economy of the country and will generate  925,000 jobs.

The BCDA has extensive experience in building a city. It is coming from the success of developing  the Bonifacio Global City, the country’s most beautifully planned and developed city using the best practices around the world. “Compared to BGC, Clark Green City will be of a much larger scale,” Casanova said.