CAPAS, Tarlac – The P13.16 billion New Clark City (NCC) Phase 1 located here broke ground Tuesday morning in line with the Build, Build, Build program carried out by the Duterte Administration.
High-ranking officials of the national government led by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade, DPWH Secretary Mark Villar, Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) President and CEO Vince Dizon graced the event along with local officials led by Tarlac Governor Susan Yap, Pampanga Governor Lilia “Nanay” Pineda, Vice-Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda, and Capas Mayor Reynaldo Catacutan.
The NCC will be the home for the 200-hectare National Government Administrative Center involving the backup offices of the various agencies to ensure continuous operations and services in case of disaster or national calamities. There will also be a one-stop shop for all the businesses in Central Luzon.
In line with the hosting of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games by the Philippines, the BCDA assured the completion of a world-class Sports Complex in Phase 1A with Aquatics and Athletics Center in less than two years. The Stadium shall have a seating capacity of 20,000 while the Aquatic Center shall have a seating capacity of 2,000.
Once completed, the project’s Phase 1B will commence for the construction of additional government office buildings, government housing units, and support service facilities on a 20-hectare land. Aside from this, small-scale retail and services facilities including banks, health centers, and hotels will be put up in adjacent zones.
MTD Capital Berhad of Malaysia won the bid to build the government hub in Tarlac, after submitting its proposal to the BCDA and undergoing the Competitive Challenge.
PHILIP OCAMPO
