New UP campus to rise in Clark

MANILA, Philippines - A University of the Philippines global campus will soon rise in Pampanga as the government seeks to create an academic district in Clark Green City envisioned to become the “country’s brain capital.”

State-owned Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) said it has signed a memorandum of agreement with UP president Alfredo Pascual for the establishment of the UP global campus in a 70-hectare property within Clark Green City.

The new campus is scheduled to break ground by the first quarter of next year.

Pascual said UP has the initial funds to implement construction of the campus and is ready to present the conceptual plan to the BCDA in the coming weeks.

He added the project is a testament of the commitment of both the UP and BCDA to undertake initiatives that will help achieve the country’s dream of social progress and transformation.

Under the agreement, BCDA will turn over some 700,000 square meters of property through a deed of conveyance to the state university, subject to a final ground survey that will be jointly conducted by both parties.

UP, in turn, will develop the site into an academic and research campus as well as operate and manage the property.

“We are excited that UP will be part of Clark Green City’s academic district. In this project, BCDA will enable UP to achieve its leadership role in higher education and national development,” Pascual said.

BCDA president and chief executive officer Arnel Casanova said the UP global campus would become the melting pot of new technologies, innovation, and creative industries in the innovative and academic district of Clark Green City which is eyed to be the brain capital of the Philippines.

Casanova  said the BCDA is also committed to help UP achieve its vision of social transformation through education.

“The UP global campus in Clark Green City will play a pivotal role in jumpstarting the innovative and academic district in Clark Green City,” Casanova said. 

“For every poor Filipino who needs to be educated, there must be place that UP could provide for them. For every creative and innovative mind that our country could produce, UP must be able to provide the opportunity for them. The UP Clark Green City will make this happen,” he added.

Casanova said UP would develop the property at its own expense in accordance with the parameters, land use plan, and other design guidelines provided in the Clark Green City master development plan.

The agreement between BCDA and UP has a term of 50 years renewable for another 50 years.