MANILA, Philippines – The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and its subsidiaries have identified a number of high-priority big-ticket infrastructure projects to vigorously push the government’s national development thrusts.
The Bases Group will harness and develop centerpiece infrastructures consisting of the Clark International Airport, San Fernando Seaport and Airport in La Union, the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), and several railway systems, including the monorail loop system in South Metro Manila, and the high-speed rail system connecting Metro Manila and Clark Special Economic Zone in Angeles, Pampanga.
The Bases Group will launch and implement a unified masterplan by 2012 covering all its properties and harnessing its vast land holdings driven by these identified infrastructure assets. The Group will maximize its airports, seaports, tollways and railways to bring the greatest impact to the national economy.
BCDA president and CEO Arnel Paciano D. Casanova said that “sound regional development and urban planning, public infrastructure development, human resource development, corporate social responsibility, and environment protection, shall lay the groundwork and generate the synergy among the Bases Group to collectively accelerate the sustainable and inclusive national development grounded on integrity, transparency, and accountability.”
Casanova said the high priority impact projects were divided into six areas: regional development and urban planning, infrastructure, business, tourism, trade and investments, marketing and promotions, social development and support to armed forces modernization.
For regional development, the group envisions the Clark Freeport and Special Economic Zone (CFSEZ), Poro Point Freeport Zone (PPFZ), the John Hay Special Economic Zone (JHSEZ), and the Bataan Technology Park (BTP) to become” beacons of globally competitive and sustainable centers of economic activities that shall ripple and spread throughout their respective regions,” Casanova said.
For infrastructure, the Bases Group seeks to complete the development of Clark International Airport terminals including the entire aviation complex. The airport should accommodate five to seven million passengers by 2015. The CIAC shall take charge of the management, operations, marketing and promotion of the facility to attract investments, tourism and trade.
Meanwhile, the San Fernando Airport located within the Poro Point Freeport Zone will serve as a feeder airport for Clark by 2013. The San Fernando Seaport will also be developed.
Under the policy supervision of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), the Bases Group will complete the railway linkage of the Clark International Airport to Metro Manila by 2018. This linkage will enhance and fast-track the development of the airport as an international gateway.
As regards business, tourism, trade and investments, the Group will develop the entire Clark Freeport Zone (CFZ) as the fulcrum of Central Luzon development. Meanwhile, the CDC shall develop the business, industry, tourism and leisure markets within the CFZ business and tourism area by 2015. This is to complement Clark International Airport operations.
The Bases Group is composed of the BCDA, Clark Development Corp. (CDC), Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC), John Hay Management Corp. (JHMC), Poro Point Management Corp. (PPMC), North Luzon Railways Corp. (Northrail), Bataan Technology Park Inc. (BTPI), and the BCDA Management and Holdings Inc. (BMHI).
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By: Ma. Elisa P. Osorio
Source: The Philippine Star, Nov. 16, 2011
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