PH Promotes Clark As Asia’s New Aerotropolis

The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), a government-owned and -controlled corporation (GOCC), is promoting Clark in Central Luzon as Asia’s next aerotropolis.

Joshua Bingcang, BCDA Officer-In-Charge for Business Development and Operations Group, told participants of the 3rd Annual Aerotropolis Conference here Thursday, that Clark opens investment opportunities in the region, with the government leading the development of the area, which is about 120 km. away from Manila.

“Clark is on its way to becoming Asia’s next aerotropolis with the development not only of the airport, but the Clark Freeport as well, and the construction of the first smart, green, and resilient New Clark City,” said Bingcang.

Aerotropolis is the concept of developing a city with the airport at its center, BCDA said.

BCDA leads four infrastructure projects in Clark under the Duterte administration’s Build, Build, Build program. These are the construction of the new terminal building of the Clark International Airport, the new metropolis New Clark City, the Manila-Clark High-Speed Railway, and the Subic-Clark Cargo Railway.

The further development of the Clark International Airport is a priority project of the Duterte administration, wherein it targets to expand the terminal by 82,000 sq. meters to accommodate eight million passengers annually.

Bingcang said high traffic growth in Clark airport was posted in 2017 and it is expected to further grow as Clark airport accommodated more flights — 152 international flights and 300 domestic flights per week — as of February 2018.

It was noted that before the new administration took office in 2016, the airport only had 100 international flights and seven domestic flights per week.

Bingcang invited potential investors to look into opportunities in building infrastructure in Clark, such as the construction of an access road from Clark airport to New Clark City.

The government also aims to tap the private sector for operations and maintenance for the Clark airport.

Meanwhile, the Aerotropolis Conference here is being attended by airport operators, city planners, social infrastructure developers, and city council representatives.