The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) is poised to jumpstart housing in New Clark City (NCC) with a P10-billion project for the construction of 10,000 units.
Joshua Bingcang, BCDA president and chief executive officer, said a big developer will be tapped to build the mixed market housing project in a 100-hectare land in the Bamban, Tarlac side of NCC.
Bingcang said the BCDA is also pursuing a partnership with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development as its contribution to the latter’s 4PH program that aims to build six million housing units within the term of the Marcos administration.
“We want to pursue housing projects in Clark as major developers are all outside Clark. There is a challenge in building housing inside because of leasehold limitations,” he said.
BCDA’s charter precludes it from selling land although it allows a long-term lease of 25 years.
Bingcang said with BCDA, as owner of the property, it could jumpstart housing development ahead of a proposed change in the charter of the agency which would free up certain portions of New Clark City.
BCDA seeks to convert 5 percent or 1,500 ha of the more than 30,000 ha of NCC for freehold to attract developers for residential development projects.
“Developers are looking
Clark because it has a brand image.
But we want to make sure it will address housing needs of minimum wage earners and government workers …
We want to create this mixed income, social inclusive housing,” he said.
Selling certain lands earmarked for residential units would enable BCDA raise enough revenues for the government that can address the pension problem of the military, Bingcang said.
There are more than 13,000 workers in Clark and live mostly outside the zone.