New Clark City almost ready for 30th Southeast Asian Games next year

Facilities at the New Clark City are almost ready for the 30th Southeast Asian Games to be held in November 2019, according to the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) on Monday.

“Phase 1 of the National Government Administrative Center in New Clark City has significantly progressed since it broke ground January this year," said BCDA President and CEO Vivencio Dizon in a press release.

"This proves that government is true to its promise of building quality infrastructure within set deadlines,” Dizon added.

Aside from the Philippines, countries expected to participate in the games include Brunei, Cambodia, East Timor, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

According to the BCDA, Phase 1 includes the "development of back-up offices of various agencies to ensure continuous business operations and services for the people in case of disasters or national calamities."

Phase 1-A will house the world-class athletics stadium, aquatics center, athletes’ village and government housing while Phase 1-B will involve development of more government buildings, residences and other support facilities.

The 9,450-hectare New Clark City, located within the Clark special economic zone that spans Angeles City in Pampanga and the towns of Capas and Bamban in Tarlac, is the country’s first smart, disaster-resilient, and sustainable city.

The government center in the new metropolis is part of the Duterte administration's plan to decongest Metro Manila by decentralizing state offices from the capital.

The BCDA said provision for power and water supplies in New Clark City is also underway.

"The city is set to have the lowest water and power rates in the country which will surely attract locators, businesses and residents," the BCDA said. — LA, GMA News