THE Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) said the completion of Filinvest Land, Inc.’s (FLI) project in New Clark City (NCC) will generate up to a million jobs.
BCDA President and Chief Executive Officer Vivencio B. Dizon told reporters in Capas, Tarlac last week, however, that the employment estimate will be realized after some 25 years after the 288-hectare project is completed.
The project, which will be developed jointly by FLI and the BCDA, is intended for locators in the logistics and industrial segments, and will feature mixed-use development.
Another employment generator in the Clark corridor is the 500-hectare Chinese industrial park slated for groundbreaking this year, according to Mr. Dizon.
BCDA and China Gezhouba Group Co. Ltd. signed a partnership deal in November during the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to develop the industrial park which will be used by light to medium manufacturers.
The completion of the first phase of the FLI projects and that of the China-based firm, both expected next year, can immediately generate 100,000 jobs.
Mr. Dizon said employers in Clark will “predominantly” hire locals.
Elsewhere, Mr. Dizon noted that the BCDA is negotiating with over ten firms interested in developing areas within the NCC but declined to identify them, pending completion of the talks.
“Madami, may foreign may local, halos equal (There are many, foreign and local, almost equal),” Mr. Dizon added.
NCC is approximately 9,450 hectares, of which around only 4,000 hectares have been secured for development.
Among the projects of the BCDA in the NCC are the 220-hectare National Government Administrative Center, developed in partnership with MTD Philippines, Inc.; its joint venture agreement with the PrimeWater consortium for water and wastewater services; and its joint partnership with the Meralco-Marubeni Consortium composed of Manila Electric Co, Marubeni Corp., Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc., and Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc. — Janina C. Lim
