The sustainability agenda: Walking the talk

By Chrisee Jalyssa V. dela Paz

Building and Net Zero City Summit Philippines 2023 | January 10

Highlighting the importance of “value-driven” United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the real estate sector, BCDA President and CEO Aileen R. Zosa discussed how the state-run organization is contributing its part to the development of green and smart communities in the country.

"New Clark City and Clark will be special economic zones, not just for businesses and investments, but also for the Filipino people. After all, BCDA's mandate is the socio-economic development of Central Luzon and, therefore, we need to really make sure that development in our Special Economic Zones redound also to benefit local communities surrounding our zones," PCEO Zosa said.

In the forum, BCDA PCEO Zosa showcased a number of sustainability projects in the pipeline for New Clark City, such as the development of a solar farm with a capacity of at least 25 megawatts (MW), a waste-to-energy facility, and a sanitary landfill.

Courtesy visit of UK Ambassador Beaufils | January 10

UK Ambassador Laure Beaufils and other officials from the British Embassy Manila met with BCDA Chairman Delfin Lorenzana, PCEO Zosa and BCDA top management to discuss additional areas of collaboration in the development of New Clark City.

Ambassador Beaufils particularly expressed interest in the areas of transportation, renewable energy, waste management, technology and green financing, as she supported BCDA's vision of making New Clark City into a sustainable, future-proof city where mobility, health, well-being, and inclusiveness are at the heart of.

"I think that's really inspiring and very much aligned with our own thinking, our own ambition. So when you said you hope we can continue to partner, I very much think we can, and I'm really ambitious for our relationship and for our future," Ambassador Beaufils said.

US-PH Society Luncheon Meeting | January 30

BCDA PCEO Zosa urged the US business community to expand its footprint in Clark, particularly in New Clark City, by investing in priority industries, such as manufacturing, transportation, information and communication technology, renewable energy, and research and development, among others.

Speaking to the board of directors of the US-Philippines Society during a meeting at The Conservatory Peninsula, Manila, PCEO Zosa highlighted BCDA's role in the successful conversion of former US military bases, such as Clark into bustling economic hubs. She also presented the developments in BCDA's newest frontier of development, New Clark City, as well as the available business opportunities in this rising metropolis.

Binictican Mangrove Planting |

February 10

Around 200 mangrove saplings were planted, and sacks of waste were collected in the mangrove propagation and cleanup drive in Binictican Mangrove, Subic Bay Freeport.

Over 20 volunteers from BCDA joined this collective effort to help restore mangrove forests. Also present were Abacan River and Angeles Watershed-Advocacy Council Inc. officials, corporate partners of SBMA, and volunteers from the Philippine Navy.

Organized by the Samahan ng Mamamahayag Sa Subic Freeport, the Central Luzon Media Association Zambales-Olongapo Chapter, and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), the activity is in line with the BCDA’s year-long reforestation and greening campaign and its commitment to UN SDGs.

Board of Investments media briefing |

February 27

In an effort to promote its sustainable developments and engage its stakeholders, including the general public, BCDA, led by Chairman Lorenzana and PCEO Zosa, briefed the Board on Investments (BOI) media on its projects and programs in the pipeline for New Clark City.

Among which are the New Clark City Central Park, which is the smart and green centerpiece of the new metropolis; New Clark City Pilot Affordable Housing Project, a multi-tenure, climate-resilient residential development; 25-MW Solar Farm Project, New Clark City Common Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Infrastructure, and Solid Waste Management and Waste-to-Energy Project; among others.

Central Luzon media briefing |

February 28

A day after they briefed the BOI media, the BCDA top management headed to Clark to inform the Central Luzon media on several high-impact projects and programs in New Clark City, particularly in the fields of sustainable development, renewable energy, ICT, estate management, transportation, tourism and smart city technologies, among others.

“New Clark City is a massive undertaking that the BCDA cannot do alone. We need the support of our partners in the public and private sectors to implement our programs and projects and ensure that Filipinos will really get the world-class metropolis they deserve,” PCEO Zosa said.

As of end-2022, investments committed by private and government locators in New Clark City has reached Php 95.51 billion, while actual investments infused have already hit Php 14.59 billion.

GAD Caravan Tree Planting | March 24

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Eighteen tollway stakeholders, including BCDA, joined the Toll Regulatory Board's 7th Advocacy Caravan for Gender and Development as part of this year's celebration of International Women's Month.

The highlight of this year's caravan was the planting of Ylang-ylang seedlings at the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway Anao interchange. Ylang-ylang is a native flower abundant in the municipality of Anao, Tarlac.