BCDA in talks for transfer of Air Force base

MANILA, Philippines - The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) is in talks with the Department of National Defense (DND) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for the possible transfer of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) base in Clark to Subic in Zambales in a bid to fully develop Çlark’s stature as a  Special Economic Zone.

BCDA president and chief executive officer Arnel Paciano Casanova said in a telephone interview that the state-run firm is in consultations with the DND and AFP for the plan.

“It is still in the exploratory stage...We are still in the process of consultation,” he said.

He said the government is considering moving the PAF out of Clark as it intends to maximize the area’s use for business.

“The Air Force in Clark is really just temporary.  Clark is really intended to serve as a Special Economic Zone,” he said.

The BCDA is currently preparing a master plan for the Clark Special Economic Zone to make it the preferred location for investments in Southeast Asia.

Apart from the promotion of Clark as an investment destination, the BCDA likewise intends to come up with a plan for the adoption of a green building system there that would encourage certain practices and techniques – from architectural design to the construction of the buildings - for  the use of renewable energy in all facilities.

Casanova also said that as the Clark Special Economic Zone has a commercial airport, it would be necessary to move the PAF fighter jets to another location.

“Fighter jets may need to be able to fly immediately so we need a more strategic area for that,” he said.

He said the government is looking at moving the PAF to Subic since it already has the infrastructure for the fighter jets.

He said the runway, which was previously used by cargo company Federal Express (FedEx) in Subic, could be utilized by the PAF.

“Since FedEx has left, then we need to find better use of that,” he added.

FedEx transferred its Asia Pacific hub from Subic to Guangzhou in China in 2009 as the latter accounts for the bulk, or about 60 to 70 percent, of Asia’s cargo volume.