Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) has allotted about PhP3 billion for Philippine Air Force (PAF) housing and support facilities that will be relocated to a 65-hectare site in New Clark City.
“We have already completed the Detailed Architectural and Engineering Design for the PAF housing facilities,” BCDA President and Chief Executive Officer Vince Dizon disclosed.
Moreover, the state firm is also in the process of preparing the Detailed Architectural and Engineering Design for the new PAF operational facilities that will be relocated in a 146-hectare property near OMNI area.
BCDA is actively engaging with PAF to ensure that the new operational facilities comply with their requirements.
“From the PAF housing, you can go to New Clark City in 10 to 15 minutes, and to Clark International Airport in 10 to 15 minutes using an access road. Works are ongoing for a 20-kilometer access road and this will be finished by next year. From Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, it will only take you less than 30 minutes to get to New Clark City. We made sure the PAF housing site will be accessible via the major thoroughfares,” Dizon said.
In August 2019, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and Dizon signed a Memorandum of Agreement for the relocation of PAF’s housing and operational areas to Clark.
“To continue our commitment of helping strengthen the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and promote national development, we at BCDA will always look for ways to transform former military bases and properties into premier centers of economic growth with the help of our private sector partners,” Dizon said.
He stressed that BCDA will double its efforts to raise much-needed revenues for the government amid the financial debacle posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our mandate to strengthen the capabilities of AFP transcends all threats. However, by building modern cities in partnership with the private sector, we strive to continuously raise more funds for the modernization of the AFP as well as provide for the welfare of our troops and the entire nation especially in this difficult period,” he said.