BCDA finalizes deal for New Clark housing

MANILA, Philippines — State-run Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) is looking to finalize the deal for the construction of the first 10,000 units of a housing project in New Clark City.

In an interview with reporters, BCDA president and CEO Joshua Bingcang said they are about to finalize a deal with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) under Secretary Acuzar and a local developer to build the first 10,000 units for the project.

In July last year, the BCDA and DHSUD signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) formalizing their partnership under the Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Housing (4PH Program).

Bingcang said the initial 10,000 units will sit on a 10-hectare property in NCC.

He said that the DHSUD has already submitted a design for the project, but noted it is still being improved.

“Of course we want to pursue a housing project in Clark because if you look at the major developers, they’re all outside of Clark,” Bingcang said as he noted  the challenge of lease hold limitations in Clark and other economic zones.

“So we want to address the housing [needs] because there are more than 138,000 workers in Clark and most of them live outside,  so this makes income socially inclusive,” he said.

However, he noted that the housing project will not be exclusive to Clark workers.

Asked for how the leasehold limitations can be addressed, Bingcang said they are working with Congress to convert certain lands into freehold targeting residential uses.

“It needs amendment in our charter. So we’ve already secured the House of Representatives approval under Speaker Romualdez. Now it’s in the Senate so we’ve already had our first reading,” he said.

“We already have a masterplan, identifying all the land uses earmarked for residential units,” Bingcang said.

He said the property developers are also aware of these developments.

“So they’re already looking, asking for land inside Clark for residential because Clark has a brand image but we want to make sure that it addresses the housing needs of minimum wage earners, government workers and up to different types of market for housing,” he said.

“So if it will be able to raise funds under sale of certain land, it will raise enough revenues for the government which can address the pension problem of the military,” Bingcang said.

Last year, the BCDA said it may generate as much as P1.45 trillion in revenues if it is allowed to sell properties for residential purposes with the proposed conversion of five percent of its ecozones to freehold status.

Currently, lands within BCDA economic zones are only available on leasehold, preventing the entry of affordable housing developers.

The BCDA stressed that converting portions of the ecozones to freehold will liberalize the residential market for an average Filipino and allow full ownership of the property.

“Once this is implemented, workers within our economic zones will be able to have their own homes, be closer to their jobs and live comfortably with their families,” Bingcang said earlier.

The BCDA estimates that this provision will free up 1,856 hectares of land, which can potentially generate  up to P1.45 trillion in revenues.