The government will pursue the relocation of key national government agencies to the New Clark City (NCC) but Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) president Vince Dizon admits the process is not easy.
At the SULONG Pilipinas forum yesterday, Dizon said Executive Order 21 signed by President Duterte last year mandates government agencies to relocate their headquarters, starting with satellite starting with their satellite offices, aimed at decongesting Metro Manila for its urban renewal in the future.
But the “process is not possible in one go, a lot of factors need to be considered,” Dizon said.
He added relocation should build up and continue in a “couple of years” following the lead of the Department of Transportation, the first agency to move its headquarters in NCC.
“For other agencies, it would be a more staggered approach,” he said.
Dizon said the NCC’s Government Center has attracted major government agencies to relocate beginning with the UP- PGH.
Dizon said Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas will begin construction of a 30-hectare facility which includes the minting and currency production facility that is currently in East avenue in Quezon City and will to relocate in NCC in the next few years.Construction of this facility will begin by the last quarter of this year or early next year.
The Supreme Court will build its first Judiciary Regional Center in a six-hectare property in New Clark City beginning next year.
Dizon said the Department of Agriculture has signed for a 30- hectare agri – industrial hub and National Seed Technology Park which will start construction starting this year.
The National Academy of Sports will build on three-hectare lot a training facility for athletes.
Dizon cited a key project for the country’s pandemic response in the future which will be established in NCC: the establishment of the Virology Science and Technology Institute of the Philippines by the Department of Science and Technology.
The National Bureau of Investigation will be moving to a huge facility, together with other judicial justice agencies in the coming months, Dizon said. – Irma Isip
