State-run Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and South Korea’s National Agency for Administrative City Construction (NAACC) signed a pact to develop New Clark City in Tarlac province.
The partnership aims to leverage knowledge-sharing and collaboration opportunities in urban planning, smart city technology, green energy and administrative systems.
“Through this MOU [memorandum of understanding], we wish to replicate the successes and apply the lessons learned by Korea in relocating administrative agencies and national research and development [R&D] institutes in its administrative capital, Sejong City,” said BCDA president and chief executive Joshua Bingcang.
Both South Korea and the Philippines have successfully relocated government administrative centers outside their capitals to address congestion and overpopulation.
BCDA seeks to replicate the successes of Sejong City, Korea’s administrative capital, in developing New Clark City as the Philippines’ alternative national government hub.
The National Government Administrative Center (NGAC) in New Clark City will house various government agencies, facilities and housing units.
BCDA said it secured commitments from several agencies including the Philippine Space Agency, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the National Academy of Sports and the Department of Science and Technology on the new government center.
