Gov’t offices start Clark transfer

Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) president Vince Dizon said on Monday that disaster management agencies and even the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) would relocate their offices to Clark, Pampanga soon.

Dizon, in a television interview, said the move comes a year after the Department of Transportation (DoTr) began the relocation to the freeport zone, adding that the buildings for the two government offices are “going up.”

He also said that discussions to move government offices to Clark or to any other place outside Metro Manila have been “going on for decades.” Concrete action only came about recently.

“It is only President Duterte who decided boldly and said we have to do this now not only to solve congestion in the metropolis but also to spur growth outside of Metro Manila,” Dizon said.

He added in the event that a 7.1 magnitude earthquake feared to hit Metro Manila, the government could continue functioning at the New Clark City.

“The DPWH and the DoTr are working on building roads, highways, and mass transportation systems to allow people to move seamlessly between Metro Manila and Clark,” Dizon said.

He also said that President Duterte is fast tracking development at the New Clark City to include government buildings, housing and even a sports arena. He likewise said Chinese firms are working on the project along with the Japanese, South Korean, American and European firms at Clark.

“The phase of the New Clark City covers around 60 hectares and it’s for government offices,” Dizon said. The government uses a hybrid public-private partnerships or PPP model in this case.