MANILA, Philippines - The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) has approved the Clark Green City Master Development Plan which is expected to allow the Clark Freeport and Special Economic Zone to become a more attractive location for investments.
In a statement yesterday, Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) president and chief executive officer Arnel Paciano Casanova said the NEDA Board Committee on Infrastructure has given its seal of approval for the development of some 36,000 hectares in the Clark Freeport and Special Economic Zone into a new city half the size of Metro Manila.
He also said the infrastructure committee has agreed to endorse the development plan to President Aquino for final approval.
“We are very pleased that NEDA Infracom has approved our plans for Clark Green City, and hope that President Aquino will approve the project. This [project] promises to be one of the most important destinations not just in Central Luzon, but the country as a whole, for local and international residents, locators and investors,†he added.
Once Aquino approves the Clark Green City Master Development Plan, BCDA could start the disposition and development of the property by next year.
The development of the Clark Green City is expected to lead to more investments in the area as well as generating more jobs.
Once at full development, Clark Green City is expected to generate approximately P1.57 trillion per year to the economy of the country.
Some 925,000 jobs are likewise expected to be created.
Apart from promoting Clark as an investment destination, the project would involve the adoption of a Green building system that would encourage certain practices and techniques as well as the use of renewable energy in all buildings and facilities in the area.
Casanova said the development of the area would be undertaken as a Public Private Partnership project, with the bulk of the estimated P59 billion to be used for the first five years to be shouldered by the private sector.
Through the project, he said the government wants to showcase what the country could offer in terms of urban planning and sustainable development.
“With the trend in building sustainable and modern cities in major countries across the world, through Clark Green City, we will be able to show our neighbors that the Philippines can likewise make a huge step in modern, sustainable development, “ he said.