By Louella D. Desiderio (The
Philippine Star) | Updated February 16, 2015 - 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines - The Bases
Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) is planning to bid out development
rights for three parcels of land covering at least 200 hectares each in the
Clark Green City this year.
BCDA president and chief executive
officer Arnel Paciano Casanova said the agency is ready to start the bidding
for some parts of the Clark Green City after naming AECOM as the winner of the
design competition for the township’s conceptual master development plan.
The Clark Green City which covers over
9,000 hectares located within the Clark Special Economic Zone in Pampanga and
Tarlac, is intended to be developed into the country’s first green and smart
metropolis and as an ideal investment destination.
The first phase of the development
will cover 1,300 hectares, to be sub-divided into several plots of land
covering 200 to 300 hectares each, to allow many parties to participate in the
project.
Casanova said the plan is to enter
into a joint venture with one developer for each parcel of land, with 55
percent to be accounted for by the private firm while the minority stake to be
taken by the BCDA under a 99-year agreement.
“As a policy, BCDA will always take a
minority stake. We will be there to nurture partner, take on political risks
associated to the project and give freehand to the private sector to push the
development forward,” he said.
The first of the three parcels of land
to be offered this year, will be rolled out within the month.
Casanova said the BCDA is set to
present the terms of reference for the first parcel located in the municipality
of Capas in Tarlac, to its board for approval on Feb. 18, and upon securing the
green light, publish such the following day.
The first parcel is intended to be
developed into a mixed use property.
“We are opening it to everyone, the
first 200 to 300 hectares. Whether you’re a local or international investor,
you can bid on the first parcel,” Casanova said.
The BCDA is also currently in
discussions with four foreign multinationals involved in industrial estate
development and mixed use development which have expressed interest to develop
parts of the Clark Green City, Casanova said.
He declined to name the foreign firms
but noted that they have a presence in Asia, US, and Europe.
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